[Royal Palace, King of Kishkindha]
Sugriva, the current king of Kishkindha, lounged on his throne with an air of leisure, savoring the entertainment provided by the graceful apsaras. His crown, adorned with jewels, glistened in the soft candlelight, and he appeared completely engrossed in his indulgent pursuits.
Ruma, the beautiful wife of Sugriva, stood beside him, tending to his every need with a serene and obedient demeanor. She delicately fed him grapes, her eyes never leaving her husband's face as if hanging onto his every word.
As the music and dance continued in the opulent throne room, Sugriva appeared content in his role as the king of Kishkindha, reveling in the pleasures of his position.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the throne room shifted as an unexpected presence entered. A Vanara (i.e. Monkey) came running in looking out of breath. Sugriva, momentarily taken aback by the intrusion, sat up on his throne, his eyes narrowing as he regarded the panting messenger. Ruma, his queen, discreetly withdrew to a corner, her curiosity piqued by the interruption.
"What is the meaning of this disturbance?" Sugriva demanded, his voice tinged with annoyance. "You dare to enter my presence unannounced?"
The messenger, trying to catch his breath, bowed deeply. "Forgive me, King Sugriva, but I bring urgent news from the borders of our kingdom."
Sugriva's irritation shifted to concern as he leaned forward, his jeweled crown gleaming in the candlelight. "Speak, messenger. What has transpired at our borders?"
The messenger, still panting, began to relay his message. "A divine chariot is heading this way Your Majesty, and some of our elders who fought in 'that' war against Asura King Ravana, said that one of the presences matches that of Ravana-"
"NOOOO!!!"
"That's not possible, I have seen that monster's death with my eyes at the hands of Lord Rama...No...It is a mistake, Yes...A mistake."
Sugriva's exclamation echoed through the throne room, causing a hushed silence to fall over the entertainment and courtiers present.
His reaction was understandable; the memory of Ravana, the formidable demon king who had once posed a significant threat to their world, was etched deeply in their history.
The messenger, still bowing, continued with urgency, "Your Majesty, I do not mean to imply that Ravana himself is here, but the presence resembles him. It is indeed a matter of great concern."
Sugriva, though visibly relieved that it wasn't Ravana himself, remained on edge. He knew that the appearance of a presence resembling the demon king was an ominous sign. He had hoped to lead Kishkindha into an era of peace and prosperity after the turbulent events of Vali's reign.
"Prepare the palace defenses," Sugriva commanded, his voice firm and decisive. "We cannot afford to take any chances. Alert our elite guards, and ensure that the city is ready for any eventuality."
The messenger nodded and hurriedly left the throne room to carry out the orders. Sugriva's courtiers began to whisper among themselves, their concern growing as they observed their king's reaction.
***
At the palace gates, A divine chariot descended gracefully, and the sight of it drew the attention of both the palace guards and curious onlookers who had gathered there. The celestial horses that pulled the chariot radiated a luminescent glow, and their presence was awe-inspiring.
Two figures stepped down from the chariot, and their appearances were as striking as the celestial vehicle itself. Karna, the formidable warrior with his golden armor, and Kusanagi sword strapped to his side descended first, followed by Lilith, who exuded an otherworldly aura with her pitch-black hair and ethereal presence.
From the far Sugriva recognized the divine chariot being of Surya Dev his father but seeing Karna step down from it left him both astonished and wary.
The legends of Karna's formidable strength and valor had reached even the distant kingdom of Kishkindha, and the presence of such a warrior within his borders was a matter of great significance.
As Karna and Lilith approached the palace gates, they were met by a contingent of palace guards. The guards, dressed in their finest armor, eyed the newcomers cautiously. They had been briefed on the urgent message from the messenger, and their defenses were on high alert.
One of the senior guards stepped forward and addressed Karna with a respectful yet vigilant tone. "I am Vrishaketu, captain of the palace guards. His Majesty is waiting for you Angraj in the throne room, Please follow me."
Karna acknowledged Vrishaketu with a nod, appreciating the guard's professionalism and vigilance. He knew that his presence in Kishkindha had raised concerns, and he was prepared to address them with respect due to a foreign kingdom.
"Lead the way, Captain Vrishaketu," Karna replied, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "We are here to meet with King Sugriva and discuss matters of importance."
Vrishaketu signaled for his fellow guards to escort Karna and Lilith into the palace, and they proceeded with caution. As they walked through the grand corridors of the palace, Karna couldn't help but admire the intricate artwork and architecture that adorned the walls. Kishkindha's royal palace was a testament to its rich history and culture.
Finally, they arrived at the entrance to the opulent throne room. The large doors, adorned with intricate carvings, were opened to reveal King Sugriva sitting upon his throne, his expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Karna and Lilith stepped into the throne room, their presence commanding attention. The courtiers and nobles present whispered amongst themselves, their eyes fixed on the formidable warrior and his enigmatic companion.
Sugriva, though maintaining his regal composure, couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He had heard tales of Karna's prowess-
"Welcome to Kishkindha," Sugriva greeted, his voice steady. "I am King Sugriva, ruler of this kingdom. To what do I owe the honor of your visit, Angraj Karna?"
"But before anything I want to know, Why is your presence similar to the former Asura king Ravana?"
Karna, his golden eyes unwavering, met King Sugriva's gaze with a sense of respect. He could sense the tension in the room, and the weight of the kingdom's history hung heavy in the air. The question about his presence being similar to Ravana's was one he had expected.
"King Sugriva," Karna began, his voice carrying the assurance of truth, "I inherited Ravana's bloodline and powers through a complex series of events. It is not by my choice, but rather a result of fate and divine intervention. I assure you, I am not Ravana himself, nor do I bear any ill will towards your kingdom."
Sugriva, while still wary, listened to Karna's explanation. The notion of inherited powers and a connection to Ravana's bloodline was perplexing, to say the least. He knew that such matters often transcended the understanding of mortals.
"Explain yourself further, Angraj Karna," Sugriva requested, his eyes searching Karna's face for any signs of deception.
Karna continued, "First I got the Maghnad's bloodline from Mahadev after that..."
At the end explaining everything about the bloodline, Sugriva was shocked beyond comprehension. The revelation of Karna's lineage and the divine intervention in his bloodline left him astounded. He had heard of such occurrences in the world of gods and legends, but to witness it firsthand was an entirely different matter.
Sugriva took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding. "Your explanation is... beyond extraordinary, Angraj Karna. I can only imagine the weight of the destiny you bear. But it raises another question: Why have you come to Kishkindha?"
"For that, I want to show you something." A Mace materialized before everyone which again shocked Sugriva who recognized it and to whom it belonged.
The sudden materialization of the divine mace sent a ripple of astonishment through the throne room. The mace itself was a legendary weapon, and its presence held immense significance in the minds of those who recognized it.
Sugriva, his eyes widening in recognition, whispered to himself, "That mace... it belonged to Vali."
"H-How did you g-got this?" Sugriva stammered, his astonishment growing. The mace, once wielded by Vali, was a symbol of the former king's might and valor. It had been lost to history after Vali's demise, and its sudden appearance was nothing short of miraculous.
Karna approached the divine mace, his gaze fixed upon it with a sense of reverence. He gently placed his hand upon it, and as if responding to his touch, the mace began to reveal its secrets.
"This mace carries the power of Vali," Karna explained, his voice holding a hint of sadness. "It was entrusted to me by Vali himself-"
"LIES!!! He died centuries ago in front of my eyes!!!"
Karna's voice remained steady, and he continued to speak, addressing Sugriva's disbelief, "I understand your skepticism, King Sugriva. But what I am about to tell you is a matter of great importance."
With a deep breath, Karna recounted the events that had transpired during his battle with Vali and Tarakasura. He spoke of Vali's return from death, his confrontation with Tarakasura, and the promise he had made to protect Tara, Vali's former wife. As Karna spoke, the mace seemed to respond, emanating a soft, ethereal glow that filled the room.
Sugriva listened intently, his initial disbelief giving way to a sense of awe and realization. The events described by Karna were nothing short of miraculous and challenged the boundaries of mortal understanding.
"Guards!!! please inform Sister-in-law to come here." The mention of Tara, Vali's former wife, seemed to strike a chord with Sugriva.
He knew that Tara had been a pivotal figure in the events that had unfolded during Vali's reign and his subsequent death. Calling for her presence was a significant decision, and he hoped that her perspective would shed light on the situation.
The guards quickly relayed Sugriva's message, and it wasn't long before Tara, a graceful and dignified Vanara/Apsara woman, Tara, who had once been the wife of Vali and had endured the complexities of that era, entered the throne room with a composed demeanor.
Her presence seemed to carry with it a sense of wisdom and experience that transcended her youthful appearance. Her dark eyes, filled with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, scanned the room until they settled on Karna.
"King Sugriva," Tara acknowledged her brother-in-law with a respectful nod, acknowledging the authority of his position. "You requested my presence. How may I be of service?"
Sugriva gestured towards Karna and the divine mace. "Tara, this is Angraj Karna. He has come with a most extraordinary tale and a relic of Vali."
Tara's eyes widened slightly as she regarded Karna and the mace. She had not expected to see a relic associated with her former husband after so many years. Her gaze shifted between Karna and the mace, and she awaited further explanation.
Karna, understanding the gravity of the moment, began to recount the events of his battle with Vali and Tarakasura once more, this time with Tara as the primary audience. He explained Vali's return from death, the circumstances surrounding it, and the promise he had made to protect her.
As Karna spoke, Tara's expression shifted from curiosity to a mix of emotions. She recalled the tumultuous events of her past, including her marriage to Vali, the challenges she had faced, and the ultimate tragedy of Vali's demise. The reappearance of Vali's mace was a powerful reminder of the past she had tried to leave behind.
When Karna had finished recounting the story, Tara spoke, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "I can confirm the truth of Angraj Karna's words, King Sugriva. Vali's return from death and the promise he made to protect me are events that I too find inexplicable but undeniable."
"But I think Angraj is hiding something," Tara spoke with a perceptive gaze, her eyes searching Karna's face for any hidden motives or unspoken truths. But then realization flashed in her eyes.
"He asked you to make me...your wife, Right?"
Karna's gaze met Tara's with a mixture of surprise and understanding. Her perceptive nature had led her to the heart of the matter, and he couldn't deny her insight.
*Sigh*
"Yes," Karna admitted, his voice measured and honest. "Vali made me promise to protect you, and part of that promise involved the idea of you becoming my wife. However, it was never my intention to force you into such a situation. Your well-being and happiness are of utmost importance, and I will honor your choice in this matter."
Tara regarded Karna's response with a thoughtful expression. The revelation that her marriage to Karna had been part of the promise made by Vali weighed heavily on her mind. She had always valued her independence and had hoped to move beyond the shadows of her past.
"Angraj Karna," Tara began, her voice steady, "I appreciate your honesty and your commitment to fulfilling Vali's promise. However, I must ask for some time to consider this matter. My heart is still burdened by the memories of the past, and I need time to reflect on what would be best for my future."
Karna nodded in understanding, his respect for Tara's wishes evident. "Take all the time you need, Tara. Your well-being and happiness are paramount. If there is anything I can do to assist you in this process, please do not hesitate to ask."