[Third Person's POV]
Karna stood motionless, his expression calm and unwavering as Kartikeya's spear sliced through the air toward him. The divine energy radiating from each strike was overwhelming, filling the chamber with a blinding brilliance. Yet Karna made no move to defend himself, his golden axe still glowing faintly by his side.
Kartikeya's spear surged forward in a final, decisive thrust, aimed directly at Karna's chest. The force behind it was enough to shake the very foundations of the celestial realm. The onlookers, including Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, watched in tense anticipation, uncertain of what would come next.
In a fraction of a second, the spear made contact with Karna.
A bright golden glow started to envelop Karna's chest as a golden liquid started to envelop his upper body up to his collarbone finally solidify as the golden armor with sun engraved on the chestplate.
The Divine Armor of the Sun materialized around Karna, its brilliance matching the radiance of the miniature sun at the tip of his Divine Axe Rhitta.
The spear's impact met the armor with a resounding clang, the force of the thrust dispersing harmlessly off the impenetrable divine protection.
Kartikeya's eyes widened in disbelief as his spear, despite its immense power, could not penetrate the golden armor. The energy of the attack dissipated harmlessly around Karna, who remained unaffected by the assault.
Karna's gaze remained steady and serene, reflecting a sense of calm and confidence. "As promised, I did not defend myself," he said, his voice carrying an edge of satisfaction. "You've shown great skill and determination, Kartikeya. It was an impressive display of power."
"no..."
"What?" Karna asked with a puzzled look on his face.
Kartikeya's voice trembled as he looked at Karna, his eyes wide with disbelief. "No... this cannot be," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. The magnitude of his final attack had not even scratched the surface of Karna's divine armor.
The chamber fell into an uneasy silence as Kartikeya's confidence wavered. He lowered his spear, his once unyielding stance now showing signs of fatigue and confusion. The divine aura around him flickered, a reflection of the inner turmoil he was experiencing.
Karna, observing Kartikeya's reaction, offered a sympathetic yet resolute smile. "It's a testament to your strength and skill that you pushed yourself to the limits. But no one can penetrate this possible? I poured everything into that final attack. My spear is infused with divine energy, and yet..."
"Bhaiya! Don't worry, I will avenge you!" The elephant-headed teen stepped forward with a determined expression, his gaze fixed on Karna. The young deity, Ganesha, had been silently observing the battle, his massive form and gentle demeanor contrasting with the intensity of the confrontation.
"You want to take his place?" Karna asked with a mocking smile, his eyes flickering with a hint of amusement. "Is that your intention, Ganesha? To step into your brother's place and test your own strength against me?"
Ganesha's expression remained serious as he nodded firmly. "Yes, Karna. If my brother's efforts were not enough, then perhaps it is my turn to challenge you. I want to understand my own limits and prove myself as well."
"Oh! You know my name?" Karna asked with a chuckle, clearly amused by Ganesha's resolve. "It seems you are quite confident, young Ganesha. Very well. I welcome the challenge."
Ganesha's large, expressive eyes narrowed with focus as he readied himself. He lifted his divine mace, the "Ganesha's Gada," high above his head, the weapon glowing with an ethereal light. He channeled his divine energy, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with the power he was preparing to unleash.
The onlookers watched with bated breath as the tension in the chamber heightened. Lord Shiva's gaze was steady, his expression a blend of pride and anticipation. Goddess Parvati's eyes were filled with a gentle, encouraging warmth.
With a powerful swing, Ganesha brought his mace down towards Karna, his divine energy infusing every motion. The air crackled with the force of the strike, and the impact reverberated through the celestial chamber. The ground beneath them trembled as Ganesha's attack surged forward with a blinding brilliance.
Karna, ever composed, met the incoming strike with his Divine Axe Rhitta. The collision of the two divine weapons created a spectacular explosion of light and sound. Karna's stance was unshakable, his divine armor absorbing the full brunt of the attack. The force of Ganesha's blow was immense, but the armor remained unblemished, its glow steady and unwavering.
Ganesha, despite his immense strength, felt the overwhelming power of Karna's divine protection. He grunted with exertion as he continued to press forward, determined to push his limits and find a way through the seemingly invulnerable armor.
Karna's eyes remained calm as he engaged with Ganesha, appreciating the young deity's tenacity. "You are indeed powerful, Ganesha," Karna remarked, his voice carrying both respect and a touch of amusement. "But this armor is forged and soaked in Amrita, the divine nectar that grants it invulnerability."
Ganesha's eyes narrowed with determination. Despite the formidable barrier Karna presented, his resolve remained unshaken. The young deity continued to swing his mace with relentless vigor, each strike infused with divine energy.
Karna observed with a mix of admiration and amusement. He respected Ganesha's unwavering spirit and felt the intensity of his attacks, though the armor remained impervious. "You have great potential, Ganesha. It is not just strength that defines a warrior, but also perseverance and heart."
The celestial chamber resonated with the clashing energies of their combat. The divine mace and the divine axe danced in a rhythm of celestial power, each blow and counter sending ripples through the fabric of the realm. Ganesha's every swing was met with Karna's impenetrable defense, creating a mesmerizing display of divine prowess.
"Vinayaka!"
Ganesha screamed as the divine mace, now enveloped in swirling black flames, surged forward with unprecedented force. The intensity of the attack seemed to crackle with a life of its own, as if seeking to pierce through the very essence of Karna's divine armor.
Karna's expression shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing as he sensed the increase in energy. The celestial chamber quivered under the weight of the immense power Ganesha was channeling. The divine flames were more than just a visual spectacle; they were imbued with an energy that challenged the very limits of divine protection.
With a resolute stance, Karna braced himself against the oncoming assault. His golden armor flared with a radiant brilliance, its surface shimmering as if it were absorbing the dark flames' energy. The Divine Axe Rhitta, gripped firmly in his hand, pulsed with its own potent aura, ready to meet the challenge head-on.
As Ganesha's mace descended, the clash between the black flames and the divine armor erupted in a blinding explosion of light and shadow. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the celestial chamber, the walls reverberating with the clash of divine energies.
For a moment, the chamber was engulfed in a maelstrom of light and dark, the radiance of Karna's armor battling against the consuming flames of Ganesha's attack. The celestial audience watched in awe as the energies intertwined, creating a mesmerizing dance of power.
"Tch~ Tch~ Nice try! But it's my turn now," Karna said, a hint of mischief in his voice as he prepared to counter Ganesha's powerful assault.
With a swift motion, Karna brought his Divine Axe Rhitta into a defensive stance. The golden weapon, still glowing with its divine light, began to hum with a rhythmic energy, the air around it shimmering in response.
He focused his will, channeling his own divine energy through the axe, and the golden aura intensified, creating a barrier of radiant light that seemed to pulse with the rhythm of the cosmos.
Ganesha, feeling the shift in the battle's momentum, gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his mace. The swirling black flames continued to engulf the weapon, their intensity unwavering. The young deity's determination only grew stronger as he saw Karna's formidable defense take shape.
Karna's voice rang out with authority as he initiated his counterattack. "Witness the might of the Divine Axe Rhitta!"
He swung the axe with a powerful arc, releasing a surge of divine energy from its tip.
The radiant wave of light surged toward Ganesha, cutting through the celestial air with a blinding brilliance. The wave was not just a display of raw power but a precise strike designed to test Ganesha's resolve and skill.
Ganesha met the incoming energy with a resolute stance. His mace, still enveloped in dark flames, swung upward to intercept the divine wave.
The collision of the two forces created a spectacular explosion of light and shadow, the energies clashing with a force that shook the very foundations of the celestial realm.
The onlookers, including Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, watched with bated breath as the energy of Karna's attack clashed with Ganesha's defense.
The chamber was filled with the resonant hum of divine power, the raw intensity of the conflict palpable in the very air they breathed.
As the dust began to settle from the explosive clash, Karna and Ganesha faced each other, their expressions reflecting the impact of their duel.
Karna's golden armor remained largely unaffected, though the brilliance of the divine protection had dimmed slightly from the intensity of Ganesha's flames.
Ganesha, panting heavily, looked in disbelief at his divine mace, though still glowing with dark flames, now bore a noticeable crack across its surface. His eyes, filled with determination and frustration, locked onto Karna's unshaken form.
The celestial chamber was still echoing from the earlier clash, and the silence that followed seemed to weigh heavily on the young deity.
"H-How..."