Karna opened his eyes slowly.
A small smile appeared on his face as he said. "My mother heard my prayer."
The words were spoken simply.
Yet those nearby felt chills run across their skin.
Because nobody doubted him.
Not after witnessing this.
Karna stepped onto the divine chariot and guided it calmly toward the surface of the giant floating cloud. The wheels rolled over the mist as though it were solid earth itself.
Then he gave instructions.
Immediately, the herders and thousands of Matsya soldiers carefully began leading the cattle upward onto the cloud platform. At first, the animals resisted nervously, but strangely, the cloud surface felt cool and stable beneath their hooves.
Soon…
Thousands upon thousands of cattle stood atop the heavenly cloud.
The sight looked unreal, like an entire moving kingdom in the sky.
Karna stood upon the chariot near the front while the winds moved through his hair and golden armor.
Then he turned once more toward King Virata.
The King still looked dazed like a man uncertain whether he was witnessing reality or divine illusion.
Karna bowed slightly. "Maharaj Virata," he said calmly, "thank you for your hospitality. From here on, I will take care of the cattle."
Virata blinked slowly before finally recovering enough to respond. He finally realized why Karna was so confident in protecting tens of thousands of cattle.
"May your path remain victorious, Maharaj Karna."
Even now, disbelief lingered heavily within his voice.
Karna smiled faintly one final time. Then he closed his eyes once more in silent prayer. "Mother..."
The cloud trembled gently.
A deep rumbling sound echoed beneath it.
And slowly…
The gigantic floating mass began rising into the sky, carrying seventy thousand cattle, thousands of soldiers, supplies, and the Naga princess.
The people below stared upward speechlessly.
Some fell to their knees.
Others pointed toward the sky in awe.
Children shouted excitedly while old priests whispered that perhaps ancient devas still walked among mankind after all.
The cloud soon drifted eastward through the skies.
Fast.
Far faster than ordinary travel.
Below them, forests, rivers, villages, and mountains passed like paintings beneath a moving god.
Ratnaprabha remained near the edge of the cloud for a long while, silently staring downward. Even after spending weeks beside Karna, moments like these still reminded her that her husband was no ordinary mortal king.
He walked between divinity and humanity so naturally that sometimes even she forgot where one ended, and the other began.
They departed at dawn.
And by noon… the skies near Hastinapura had already appeared ahead.
What that takes atleast three to four weeks, with all this cattle only took a quarter a day.
Far below, the massive outer plains surrounding the Kuru capital stretched endlessly beneath sunlight. Rivers glittered like silver snakes while distant farms covered the earth in shades of green and gold.
Karna turned toward Ratnaprabha.
"You stay here for now, my Queen," he said calmly. "I will descend first and will return quickly."
Ratnaprabha nodded obediently, though her fingers lightly held the edge of his arm for a brief moment before releasing him.
Karna stepped onto the chariot again.
The divine steeds neighed sharply.
Then the golden chariot separated from the massive cloud and descended toward Hastinapura.
At first, the outer soldiers stationed near the walls became alarmed, seeing something shining descend from the sky itself. Spears were raised instinctively while guards shouted warnings across the towers.
But only moments later, recognition spread.
"The divine chariot!"
"It is Maharaj Karna!"
"The King of Dakshina Kalinga has returned!"
The confusion immediately transformed into commotion.
Conches began echoing through the city.
Messengers ran toward the inner palace at full speed.
And since Karna did not wish to disturb the crowded streets below, he kept the chariot flying visibly above the city at a controlled height rather than landing immediately.
The people of Hastinapura flooded onto balconies, rooftops, temple stairs, and market roads, trying to glimpse the radiant chariot crossing the sky once again.
The moment Karna's divine chariot descended toward the palace grounds of Hastinapura once again, the atmosphere around the royal complex shifted noticeably.
The guards stationed near the palace gates immediately straightened their postures and lowered their weapons respectfully, as they all knew about Karna's trade deal with Hastinapur, and just a few weeks ago, he was there as a royal guest.
No one stopped him.
A high-ranking Kuru officer personally escorted Karna through the inner palace corridors lined with polished stone pillars and oil lamps. Servants moved aside quietly whenever he passed while whispers spread ahead of him faster than footsteps.
"Maharaj Karna has returned."
"They say he brought an entire moving cloud from the heavens."
"Why?"
"Who knows?"
Karna, however, paid no attention to any of it.
Instead of returning toward the royal guest chambers prepared earlier for him during his previous stay, he directly made his way toward the special throne hall where foreign rulers and important dignitaries usually held discussions with the King of Hastinapura.
Once inside the chamber, Karna calmly took a seat and waited.
The soldier he had informed earlier hurried away to deliver the message.
And true to Karna's expectation, it did not take long.
Soon, footsteps and staff sounds echoed from outside.
King Dhritarashtra entered first with attendants guiding him carefully, while Vidura followed beside him. Behind them came Shakuni with his usual calculating smile, and beside him walked Prince Duryodhana, whose expression remained far calmer than during Karna's previous stay.
Everyone settled into their seats.
After the formal greetings were exchanged, Karna wasted little time.
"Maharaj," he spoke calmly, "I came to collect the war horses and cattle according to our agreement."
His tone remained polite, yet direct.
At those words, Vidura exchanged a brief glance with the others before replying carefully.
"Maharaj Karna," he said, "there is a slight issue. The river boats from Kashi have yet to arrive at the docks, and Hastinapura itself does not possess enough vessels to transport such an enormous exchange immediately. You might have to wait a few more days."
Karna listened silently.
Then, unexpectedly, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"There is no need for boats."
The room became still.
Vidura frowned slightly. "No need?"
Karna slowly raised one finger and pointed upward toward the ceiling.
"The cloud."
Vidura's eyes widened in instant realization. "So, that is why..."
"The… clouds?" Duryodhana, meanwhile, repeated unconsciously.
Even Shakuni narrowed his eyes in confusion.
Karna nodded calmly. "In a short while, you will understand, Prince Duryodhana."
The silence in the hall deepened further.
Then Karna continued without wasting time.
"Anyway, Maharaj, I have brought the cattle from Matsya along with soldiers and escorts. My new Queen is also waiting outside beneath the sunlight. So, if you please hurry the preparations, we can continue our journey immediately."
The words "new Queen" instantly drew attention.
Dhritarashtra slightly turned his head.
"New Queen?" he repeated with surprise.