The mention of Karna's name sent a ripple of surprise and curiosity through the assembly of celestial beings. But Goddess Ganga and Surya Dev were different a intense pressure released from them as a center of tension built in the room.
Surya Dev's eyes narrowed as he addressed Indra. "Lord Indra, you accuse a mortal warrior of such a grave act without substantial evidence. Karna has always been a protector of dharma and righteousness. Accusing him without proper proof would be a grave injustice."
Goddess Ganga's voice lost its elegance and motherly love the moment Indra took Karna's name, Her SON. Her presence in the heavenly assembly was akin to a tempestuous river, flowing with a force that demanded attention and respect. Her voice carried a commanding authority that left no room for doubt.
"Indra," she began, her voice thundering through the throne room, "you dare accuse my son, Karna, without evidence and without just cause? do you think I wouldn't dare to kill you before you lose your throne If my son's name was tarnished by false accusations?"
"And don't use other devas for your own personal gain, to regain your lost divinity," she continued, her eyes blazing with anger. "The celestial balance and justice are not to be toyed with. Your actions have consequences, and you will answer for them."
Surya Dev, standing beside Goddess Ganga, radiated an intense aura of solar power, reinforcing her words. "We demand a fair and impartial investigation into this matter. Karna is innocent until proven guilty, and we will not allow false accusations to tarnish his name."
The council of devas was taken aback by the forceful presence and words of Goddess Ganga and Surya Dev. Their reputation and authority in the celestial realm were not to be underestimated. It was clear that they would not tolerate any injustice or manipulation of the divine order.
Indra, who had hoped to use the council to further his own agenda, found himself in a precarious position. He had underestimated the power of maternal love and the unwavering support of Surya Dev for Karna. His desperation had clouded his judgment, and now he faced the consequences of his actions.
With a heavy heart and a sense of defeat, Indra agreed to a fair investigation into the loss of his War divinity and the accusations against Karna. He knew that he had no other choice but to comply with the demand for justice.
***
[Panchal Kingdom]
"Do you think we could assassinate the princess of Panchal without getting caught?" A middle-aged man with a cunning glint in his eyes leaned in closer to his co-conspirator. They were hidden in the shadows of a dimly lit chamber, their voices hushed to avoid any eavesdroppers.
The other man, younger and more cautious, furrowed his brow in thought. "It won't be easy, Ravi. Princess Draupadi is well-guarded, and any attempt on her life would bring the wrath of King Drupada upon us. We need a foolproof plan."
Ravi, whose ambition outweighed his caution, smirked. "I didn't say it had to be easy, my friend. But think about the rewards. If we succeed, we'll not only eliminate a powerful enemy but also gain favour with those who seek her downfall."
The younger man hesitated, torn between the allure of power and the fear of retribution. "What if we fail? What if we're caught? The consequences will be severe."
Ravi leaned back, his eyes gleaming with a ruthless determination. "Failure is not an option, my friend. We'll plan meticulously, bide our time, and strike when the opportunity presents itself. We'll make it look like an accident, a tragic accident that befalls the princess."
"Then when do we strike?" the younger man asked, his voice trembling with apprehension.
Ravi grinned wickedly. "We'll wait for midnight when guards change their shift and the palace is at its quietest. We'll exploit the darkness and the element of surprise. I have a contact on the inside who will provide us with the information we need."
"W-What if we get caught during our preparations?" the younger man stammered.
Ravi's grin widened. "My friend, if we get caught then I have a very powerful weapon at my disposal. I have knowledge of a secret that could bring down the entire kingdom of Panchal, including its king. If they threaten to expose us, I'll make sure they are the ones who face ruin."
The younger man shivered at the coldness in Ravi's tone and the ruthlessness of his plan. He knew that crossing Ravi was a dangerous proposition, and he found himself reluctantly drawn into this web of conspiracy.
"Very well," he whispered resignation in his voice. "We'll proceed with your plan, but let us be cautious and discreet. If we succeed, the rewards will be great, but if we fail, we will use that secret weapon of yours to protect ourselves."
Ravi nodded in agreement, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "We understand each other, my friend. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss, and I will ensure that we are prepared for every contingency."
The sinister conspiracy against Princess Draupadi of Panchal had taken root, with Ravi and his reluctant accomplice plotting in the shadows. They were aware of the risks involved in their nefarious plan but were driven by their thirst for power and the potential rewards that awaited them.
As they continued to discuss the details of their plot, a chilling sense of determination settled over them. Ravi's contact on the inside, an individual with their own hidden agenda, would play a pivotal role in providing them with crucial information about the palace's vulnerabilities and the princess's routine.
In no time midnight approached, shrouding the Panchal palace in darkness. Guards patrolled the corridors, their steps echoing in the stillness of the night. Princess Draupadi, unaware of the sinister plot unfolding around her, slept peacefully in her chambers.
Ravi and his accomplice had gathered their supplies and concealed themselves in the labyrinthine passages beneath the palace. Their contact on the inside had provided them with invaluable information about the guard rotations and the vulnerabilities in the palace's security.
With every step they took in the dimly lit passages, the tension in the air grew palpable. The torches lining the walls flickered with an eerie glow, casting long, dancing shadows. Ravi and his accomplice moved in silence, their every breath weighted with the gravity of their sinister mission.
Their contact, a palace servant with a hidden agenda, had assured them that the guards' change of shift would occur soon. This was their moment to strike, and they could not afford any mistakes.
As they approached a junction in the passages, they heard the faint sound of footsteps, signalling the approach of the guards.
Ravi motioned for his accomplice to hide in the shadows, and they waited in tense anticipation. Soon, a group of palace guards emerged from a corridor, their armour clinking softly with each step. They exchanged words in hushed tones as they passed by the concealed conspirators.
Once the guards had moved on, Ravi and his accomplice continued on their path, carefully avoiding any further encounters. They reached a hidden chamber that overlooked Princess Draupadi's sleeping quarters. From this vantage point, they had a clear view of the princess, who lay peacefully unaware of the impending danger.
Ravi took a deep breath and whispered to his accomplice, "Now is the time. We must act swiftly and silently. We have only one chance."
His accomplice nodded, his hands trembling with anxiety. Ravi retrieved a vial of a deadly poison from his cloak, a substance that would leave no trace of their involvement. With practised precision, he applied the poison to a small dart and loaded it into a concealed blowpipe.
As the guards outside continued their rounds, Ravi aimed the blowpipe at Princess Draupadi, his finger on the trigger. He knew that the moment he released the poison dart, there would be no turning back.
Dart flew in silence, their eyes fixed on the slumbering form of Princess Draupadi. The blowpipe emitted a barely audible hiss as the deadly dart shot forward, its trajectory guided by Ravi's steady hand.
But just as the dart was about to strike its target, a sudden bright barrier sprung to life around Princess Draupadi's sleeping form. It was a translucent shield, shimmering with a protective aura that deflected the poison dart harmlessly away. The dart embedded itself harmlessly into the chamber wall, far from its intended target.
Ravi and his accomplice froze in shock, their eyes widening in disbelief. They had not anticipated such a formidable protective measure. The barrier, seemingly conjured out of thin air, had thwarted their assassination attempt.
Moments later footsteps approached the concealed chamber, and the conspirators knew that their presence had been discovered.
Ravi immediately knew this was now or never. He turned to his accomplice, "Get ready I must use the secret weapon," he whispered urgently.
His accomplice, fear and desperation in his eyes, nodded in agreement. They had no other choice but to use the knowledge they possessed as leverage in this dire situation.
As the approaching footsteps drew nearer, Ravi focused his thoughts on the darkest secret he held—a secret that could indeed bring ruin to the entire kingdom of Panchal. It was a revelation that could not only destroy reputations but also plunge the kingdom into chaos and strife.
In a low and menacing voice, Ravi began to speak the words that would unleash the power of that forbidden secret. His accomplice joined in, their voices resonating with dark intent. The incantation invoked a malevolent force, one that threatened to unravel the very fabric of Panchal's stability.
But the barriers surrounding the princess sprung to life again and involved the secret weapon shimmering, protective cocoon, rendering the incantation ineffective.
But still, some energy escaped the barrier and destroyed the chambers with the princess getting pulled into a vortex of chaos. The room shook, and the walls trembled as the dark magic clashed with the protective barrier.