[Kingdom of Magadha, Royal Palace]
In a lavishly decorated chamber adorned with rich tapestries and opulent furniture, a figure of regal authority paced back and forth with simmering fury.
His piercing gaze, a shade of deep blue, radiated intensity as he addressed the assembly of advisors and courtiers who stood before him, their expressions a mixture of trepidation and anxiety.
"You all can't even do a single thing properly," King Jarasandha's voice resonated with a fit of controlled anger hinting at his frustration's depths.
"You just had to get that new king here under the guise of having a meeting for an alliance... but NO!!! You can't even do that simple thing, huh? Tell me a good reason to keep you all alive."
Finally, a figure stepped forward from the gathered assembly. He was tall and imposing, his features a mix of age and authority. He was the head of the envoys sent to the kingdom of Anga.
"Your Majesty," Rajendra began, his tone measured yet respectful. "We understand your frustration and take full responsibility for the lapse in our planning. However, we must remember that this situation is not entirely within our control. The circumstances led to the appearance of that massive white lion named, Shaurya whose presence made us lose ground in the meeting with the new king. And it is said to be that white lion is the familiar of that new king."
Rajendra's explanation seemed to do little to pacify King Jarasandha's anger. The king's eyes narrowed as he regarded Rajendra with an intensity that could make even the most stalwart quiver.
"Shaurya, you say? A being of such power siding with the new king?" King Jarasandha's voice was a low growl, his words heavy with a mixture of disbelief and frustration.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The presence of Shaurya seemed to shift the balance of power during the meeting," Rajendra replied with a slight bow, maintaining his composure despite the king's displeasure.
King Jarasandha clenched his fists, his agitation evident in the way his knuckles turned white. "This is not a matter to be taken lightly. We must have that kingdom under our control or destroy it altogether... I have decided we will wage war on this kingdom, Start making preparations but this will not be a frontal assault but a strategic and calculated maneuver. We need information, allies, and a plan that ensures our victory."
The assembled courtiers exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of the situation sinking in. King Jarasandha's wrath was notorious, and his determination to conquer the neighbouring kingdom was palpable. Yet, the mention of a white lion named Shaurya had raised questions and concerns among the advisors.
"Your Majesty," another advisor ventured cautiously, "the appearance of this Shaurya raises questions. We must gather more intelligence about him and the new king's strengths before devising a comprehensive plan."
King Jarasandha's eyes bore into the advisor, his gaze unrelenting. "I have heard whispers of this Shaurya before, a mythical guardian with unparalleled might. If he has indeed aligned himself with the new king, we cannot afford to underestimate their forces."
Rajendra stepped forward again, his tone respectful yet assertive. "Your Majesty, if I may propose a course of action. Instead of rushing into a confrontation, we could explore diplomatic avenues. Perhaps a meeting could be arranged between you and the new king, under the pretence of negotiating an alliance. This could provide an opportunity to assess their strengths and intentions."
King Jarasandha's expression remained inscrutable as he considered Rajendra's suggestion. The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of the decision hanging heavy in the air. After a moment, the king's features relaxed slightly, a calculated glint in his eyes.
"Very well, Rajendra. Your proposal has merit. We will proceed cautiously, gathering more information and considering all possible outcomes. But make no mistake, if diplomacy fails, we will not hesitate to unleash the full might of Magadha."
As the advisors and courtiers nodded in agreement, King Jarasandha turned to gaze out of a nearby window, his gaze distant and contemplative. "This new king must die either way for having that wretched girl Kali with him..."
[Champa, Royal Palace, King of Anga]
[System going to sleep for 2 hours for "Periodical Update"]
Karna's eyes widened at the prompt he received from the system but decided to wait for it to finish before asking any questions to Artemis.
"You should go to sleep it's quite late in the night, Tomorrow I will order some maids to prepare a room for you to stay. Now you can take the bed."
As Karna spoke, Scáthach regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and appreciation. His offer was considerate, and the weariness from her journey was beginning to catch up with her. She realized that she needed rest to fully regain her strength.
"Thank you, Karna," Scáthach replied, her voice carrying a touch of gratitude. "I appreciate your hospitality."
With a nod, Karna gestured toward the luxurious bed, his expression gentle. "Rest well. If you need anything during the night, feel free to let me know."
Scáthach walked over to the bed, her movements graceful despite her weariness. She settled onto the soft mattress with a contented sigh, feeling the weight of the day's events slowly fading away.
As she closed her eyes, the warmth and comfort of the bed enveloped her, lulling her into a state of relaxation she hadn't experienced in ages.
In the dimly lit chamber, Karna remained seated in a chair, his thoughts drifting as he watched over Scáthach. He couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility for her well-being, an instinctual desire to protect and support her in this unfamiliar world.
[After 2 hours]
[Ding! System online again]
[Status Window]
[Name: Karna]
[Age: 15]
[Race: Demi-God]
[Sub-Race: Royal Asura(+)]
[Bloodline: Star-Child Bloodline, Royal Asura Bloodline]
[Title: Vasusena, Angaraj, Suryaputra(Hidden), Meghnad's Successor, Parhuram Shishya(Student)]
[Cultivation: Maharathi (Peak)]
[Body: War God's Constitution, Royal Asura's Physique, Vajra Body]
[Soul Weapon: Kavach and Kundal, Vijaya Dhanush, Divine Axe Rhitta(Upgraded Version), Sudarshan Chakra(Improved Version)]
[Divinity: Sun (Mid), ???]
[Skills: Master Craftmanship, Master Chef, Demi-God Bowmanship, Transcendance Swormanship (Peak), Weapon Mastery (Master)]
[Techniques: Void Step Technique (Mastered), Void Fist Technique (Mastered), Eternal Four Season Sword Technique, Unyielding Darkness Flame Sword Technique, Void Breathing Technique]
[Special Skill: Divine Insight, Voice of All Things, Enhanced Divine Aura, Blessing of the Forest Guardians, Ashta Siddhis, Dice]
[Astras: Bhargavastra, Narasimhastra, Nagpash, Garudastra, Agneyastra, Varunastra, Suryastra, Rudra Astra, Pushupatastra, Many Other Ordinary Astras]
..
Karna's gaze shifted toward Scáthach, who still slept peacefully on the luxurious bed.
Scáthach's beckoning caught Karna's attention, and he approached her bedside with a gentle smile. He leaned over slightly, studying her peaceful expression as she slept.
It was a rare moment of tranquillity for someone who had lived through battles and endless struggles. Karna couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness toward her, a desire to shield her from the hardships of this new world she found herself in.
She lifted the covers further beckoning him to join her. Karna's eyes widened slightly at her unexpected invitation, his expression a mix of surprise and blush. He wasn't sure how to respond to this bold gesture, his heart pounding a little faster at the thought.
Scáthach's playful yet sincere demeanour had intrigued him from the moment they met, and her actions now only deepened his curiosity.
For a moment, Karna hesitated, his gaze shifting between Scáthach and the bed. The air in the room seemed to thicken with anticipation, the atmosphere charged with an unspoken tension. The idea of sharing a moment of intimacy with a woman he had only recently met felt both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
Scáthach's expression remained inviting, her eyes holding a mixture of warmth and playfulness. She patted the space next to her on the bed, her gesture inviting him to join her. "Come, Karna. There's no harm in taking a moment to rest together."
Karna's inner battle of emotions played out on his features, his internal struggle visible to anyone who cared to look. The logical part of his mind urged caution and restraint, reminding him of the circumstances and the fact that they were still essentially strangers. However, the more emotional side of him, stirred by Scáthach's openness and the connection they seemed to share, was tempted by the idea.
After a moment of contemplation, Karna's lips curved into a gentle smile, a mixture of bashfulness and sincerity. He took a hesitant step closer to the bed and then, with a subtle resolve, Scáthach shifted slightly to make room for Karna on the bed.
She patted the space beside her once more, inviting him to join her with a welcoming gesture. "Come, then. Let's find a moment of respite together, away from battles and worries."
Karna's smile grew warmer as he gazed at Scáthach, a sense of comfort and camaraderie settling over him. He moved to lie down beside her, carefully arranging himself on the bed. As he settled in, he couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability and ease in her presence.
The two of them lay side by side on the bed, their breaths synchronizing in the quiet of the room. The dim light cast soft shadows, and the air held a serene stillness that was a stark contrast to the tumultuous events of the day.
Scáthach turned her head to meet Karna's gaze, her eyes holding a mixture of curiosity and a newfound closeness. "You know, Karna, life is full of twists and turns. We never know what the next moment might bring. But at this moment, right here, there's a connection between us. And for now, that's all that matters."
Karna's gaze met hers, his golden eyes reflecting the sentiment. "You have a way of making the uncertain feel more manageable."
Scáthach moved closer to Karna and hugged him from behind pressing her ample twin bunnies on the broad back of Karna.
Scáthach's unexpected embrace caught Karna by surprise, his eyes widening slightly at the sudden intimacy. He could feel the warmth of her body against his back, her embrace both comforting and a little provocative. Her playful boldness stirred a mixture of emotions within him, a blend of amusement, curiosity, and a touch of bashfulness.