The forest woke before the sun.
A faint mist spread slowly across the ground, weaving between roots and stones like a living thing. It clung to the earth, rising just enough to blur the path ahead.
Cold.
Silent.
Unforgiving.
On a high branch of an old tree—
Karna opened his eyes.
He had not truly slept.
There had been no deep rest, no comfort of dreams.
Only brief moments of stillness.
Enough to recover.
Not enough to forget the pain.
His body still carried the marks of the previous battle.
His muscles felt stiff, as if they resisted even the smallest movement.
Heavy.
Every part of him reminded him of what he had endured.
Yet his gaze—
Remained steady.
Clear.
Unshaken.
Slowly, carefully, he shifted his weight and climbed down from the branch. His hands gripped the rough bark with precision, his feet finding stable ground without hesitation.
Every movement was controlled.
Measured.
Careful.
