As the echoes of their victory faded into the celestial expanse, Ashborn and Lord Shiva stood side by side, their bond as father and son strengthened by the trials they had overcome together.
In that moment of divine communion, Ashborn felt a sense of clarity and purpose that transcended the boundaries of mortal understanding.
"Pitashri," Ashborn began, his voice resonating with reverence. "What lies ahead for us? What challenges await in the eternal struggle against the forces of chaos?"
Lord Shiva regarded his son with a gaze that seemed to pierce through the fabric of reality, his divine wisdom shining forth like a beacon in the cosmic darkness. "The path ahead is fraught with peril, my son," Turned his eyes to look at Ashborn or...at Karna? "But you, My son will figure it out someday."
With those words, the ethereal realm began to fade, the fragments of memory dissipating like morning mist. Ashborn/Karna found himself standing again in the celestial throne room, the echoes of his divine heritage reverberating within his soul
"So...did you figure it out, my dear Ashborn?" Ariel's voice cut through the lingering echoes of the celestial realm, her eyes shimmering with celestial wisdom as she regarded Karna with curiosity and anticipation.
Karna blinked, the memories of his divine heritage still fresh in his mind as he gazed upon Ariel, the guardian of the 31st floor. "I... I believe I have," he replied, his voice tinged with a newfound sense of clarity and purpose. "And It's Karna now, not Ashborn. Though the memories of my divine lineage will always be a part of me, I choose to embrace my mortal identity and the responsibilities that come with it."
Ariel nodded, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "A wise choice, Karna. The journey of self-discovery is not just about uncovering our past but also about embracing the present and forging our future."
Karna inclined his head in acknowledgment, a sense of gratitude welling within him for the guidance and wisdom Ariel had imparted. "Thank you, Ariel. For guiding me through the labyrinth of my soul and helping me find the answers I sought."
"Okay then, Since the first part of this floor is finished. Let's proceed to the next part of the trial," Ariel suggested, her voice filled with anticipation. "Are you ready, Karna?"
Karna nodded, a sense of determination burning within him. "Yes, Ariel. I am ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead."
"Then come at me with the intent to kill," Ariel declared, her voice ringing with challenge as she stepped forward, wings unfurling to reveal the full extent of her celestial majesty.
Karna tensed, his senses sharpening as he prepared to engage in combat with Ariel, the guardian of the 31st floor. Though he harbored no ill will towards her, he understood the necessity of the trial and the need to demonstrate his resolve and skill.
With a silent prayer to the gods, Karna drew upon the depths of his martial prowess, summoning forth the divine heritage that flowed within his veins. His movements became fluid and precise, each step a testament to the years of training and discipline he had undergone as a warrior.
As Ariel advanced, her wings beating rhythmically against the air, Karna met her gaze with steely determination. With a swift motion, he unleashed a barrage of strikes, his fists and feet moving with blinding speed as he sought to overwhelm his opponent.
Ariel deftly evaded each blow, her movements graceful and precise as she danced around Karna with the agility of a celestial being. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured forth a whirlwind of elemental energy, sending it hurtling toward Karna with lethal intent.
Karna gritted his teeth, his senses ablaze as he called upon the divine power within him to shield against Ariel's assault. With a mighty roar, he unleashed a burst of fiery energy, countering the whirlwind with a blaze of celestial flame that consumed it in a torrent of radiant light.
The celestial throne room trembled with the force of their clash, the echoes of their battle reverberating through the grand expanse. Karna and Ariel danced across the battlefield, their movements a symphony of martial prowess and divine grace as they fought with unwavering resolve.
As the battle raged on, Karna felt a sense of exhilaration coursing through him, a primal thrill that stirred his warrior's spirit. With each strike and parry, he felt himself drawing closer to the truth of his existence, his identity as both mortal and divine converging in a symphony of destiny.
A technique suddenly seemed to materialize in Karna's mind—a technique long forgotten yet etched into the very essence of his being.
It was a technique passed down through the ages, a legacy of his divine lineage—a technique that embodied the convergence of mortal skill and celestial power.
With a primal roar, Karna unleashed the technique—a whirlwind of divine energy that spiraled around him like a cyclone of celestial fury.
The air crackled with electricity as he channeled the power of his ancestors, his every movement a testament to the legacy of his divine heritage.
Shadows from all over the celestial throne room seemed to converge upon Karna, drawn by the sheer intensity of his divine technique. The shadows coalesced around him, weaving into the fabric of his being like tendrils of ethereal darkness forming a full body armor with just face left out in the open.
Changes started to occur as the snow-white hair turned to pitch-black, and his eyes which were molten gold turned into gleaming purple like some rare gems fitted inside his eye socket.
Karna's transformation was awe-inspiring, the manifestation of his divine heritage merging with his mortal identity in a symphony of power and grace.
As the shadows embraced him, he stood at the pinnacle of his existence, a warrior of unparalleled caliber, his every movement a testament to his lineage as both mortal and divine.
Ariel watched in silent awe as Karna unleashed the full extent of his power, her celestial eyes shimmering with admiration and respect. Though she had sparred with countless warriors throughout the ages, none had ever displayed such mastery over their divine heritage as Karna.
"Remarkable," Ariel murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she beheld the spectacle unfolding before her. "Truly, you are a force to be reckoned with, Karna."
Karna nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination as he faced Ariel, his newfound power coursing through him like a raging river. "I am Karna, King of Anga, and Ashborn, son of Shiva and Parvati," he declared, his voice resounding with the echoes of his divine lineage. "Try not to die."
Just as Karna finished his words, A fist hit Ariel from above with the force of a meteor, sending shockwaves rippling through the celestial throne room. Ariel staggered backward, her wings flaring out to steady herself as she braced against the impact.
Karna stood with an arm still in the position of his devastating strike, his expression fierce yet composed as he faced Ariel, the guardian of the 31st floor. The force of his blow reverberated through the celestial realm, a testament to the raw power he wielded as both mortal king and divine being.
Ariel recovered swiftly, her celestial aura shimmering with renewed determination as she faced Karna once more. "Impressive," she remarked, her voice tinged with admiration. "But do not underestimate me, Karna. I am not so easily defeated."
"Good, Because if were to I would be disappointed with your abilities," Karna replied, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Show me what you're truly capable of, Ariel. Let us dance the dance of combat until one of us emerges victorious."
With a nod of understanding, Ariel launched herself forward, her wings propelling her with incredible speed as she closed the distance between herself and Karna. In a blur of motion, she unleashed a flurry of strikes, her celestial fists imbued with the power of the elements.
Karna met her assault head-on, his movements fluid and precise as he deflected each blow with expert skill. With each clash, sparks flew, illuminating the celestial throne room with the intensity of their battle.
As the duel raged on, Karna felt a sense of exhilaration coursing through him, a primal thrill that stirred his warrior's spirit. He had faced countless foes on the battlefield, but none had ever tested his skill and resolve quite like Ariel, the guardian of the 31st floor.
"Shadow Infusion: Thousand Punch In A Second~"
As Karna uttered the incantation, shadows coalesced around him, intertwining with his divine aura to amplify his martial prowess. With a primal roar, he unleashed a barrage of lightning-fast punches, each strike infused with the power of his divine heritage.
After being successful in dodging the first ten punches, Ariel found herself hard-pressed to keep up with Karna's onslaught. His movements were a blur of shadow and divine energy, each strike aimed with deadly precision. Despite her celestial agility, Ariel struggled to evade the flurry of blows raining down upon her.
Upon the number reached sixty its defense of Ariel broke like fragile glass under the continuous assault of Karna's shadow-infused punches. With each strike, Ariel staggered backward, her celestial defenses crumbling under the relentless barrage of attacks.
The force of Karna's onslaught was unlike anything she had ever faced before, his martial prowess and divine heritage combining to form a formidable opponent.
As Karna pressed his advantage, Ariel knew that she needed to change her approach if she hoped to emerge victorious. Drawing upon her own celestial power, she conjured forth a whirlwind of elemental energy, channeling it into a devastating counterattack.
"Elemental Fury: Tempest Gale!"
With a sweeping motion of her wings, Ariel unleashed the full force of the tempest, sending a torrent of wind and lightning hurtling toward Karna with the fury of a celestial storm. The elemental energy crackled and surged, enveloping Karna in a maelstrom of divine power.