The first light of dawn appeared over Mount Mahendra.
Cold mountain winds moved through the trees.
Inside the quiet ashram, Karna's eyes opened.
He had already been awake.
Training had begun.
Parshuram had given him only one rule.
"A warrior who sleeps after sunrise is already defeated."
So Karna woke before the sun every day.
He stepped outside the ashram.
The sky was still dark blue.
Stars slowly faded as the sun began rising on the horizon.
Karna stood still and took a deep breath.
The sunlight slowly touched his body.
Warm.
Familiar.
Almost like a blessing.
Inside his mind—
'Today is the first day of real training.'
Suddenly a loud voice echoed behind him.
"Karna."
Karna turned immediately.
Parshuram stood there with his massive axe resting on his shoulder.
His eyes were sharp.
"Follow me."
Karna nodded.
"Yes, Guru."
They walked deeper into the forest.
After several minutes they reached a large clearing.
Massive stone pillars stood across the area.
Each pillar had deep cuts from weapons.
Parshuram spoke calmly.
"This is where my disciples train."
He picked up a heavy iron bow.
Then he threw it toward Karna.
Karna caught it with both hands.
But the moment he held it—
His arms sank slightly.
'Heavy…'
The bow was far heavier than any weapon he had used before.
Parshuram crossed his arms.
"If you wish to master divine weapons…"
"Your body must become strong enough to handle them."
He pointed toward the pillars.
"Shoot."
Karna placed an arrow on the string.
The bow felt heavy but manageable.
He aimed at the nearest stone pillar.
Then released.
WHOOSH!
THUD!
The arrow struck the pillar but barely left a mark.
Parshuram shook his head.
"Weak."
Karna frowned slightly.
'That bow is far heavier than my usual one.'
But he didn't complain.
Instead, he shot another arrow.
And another.
And another.
Hour after hour.
Arrow after arrow.
The sun climbed higher into the sky.
Sweat covered Karna's body.
But he never stopped.
From a distance, Parshuram watched silently.
Inside his mind—
'This boy…'
'His determination is extraordinary.'
Most students would collapse after two hours.
But Karna continued training without hesitation.
Suddenly—
A familiar sound appeared.
DING
NEW SKILL UNLOCKED
WEAPON MASTERY – LEVEL 1
Effects:
Faster adaptation to weapons
Increased control
Improved combat instincts
Karna's eyes brightened slightly.
'That will help a lot.'
He grabbed another arrow.
This time he adjusted his grip.
Balanced his stance.
Focused his breathing.
Then—
He released the arrow.
WHOOSH!
THUD!
A deep crack appeared in the stone pillar.
Parshuram's eyes narrowed.
"Again."
Karna nodded.
Another arrow.
WHOOSH!
THUD!
The crack became deeper.
The training continued until sunset.
By the time Karna finally lowered the bow…
His entire body ached.
But his eyes remained determined.
Parshuram stepped forward.
He examined the cracked pillar.
Then he looked at Karna.
A small approving smile appeared.
"Good."
Karna breathed heavily.
But he smiled slightly.
"Thank you, Guru."
Parshuram turned toward the mountain peak.
"Today was only physical training."
He looked back at Karna.
"Tomorrow…"
His eyes became serious.
"You will begin learning about Divine Astras."
Karna's heart beat faster.
Inside his mind—
'Divine weapons…'
In the Mahabharata, these were the ultimate techniques.
Weapons capable of destroying entire armies.
And Parshuram was one of the few masters who knew them.
Karna bowed respectfully.
"I will learn everything."
Parshuram nodded.
"You will."
That night…
Karna sat quietly outside the ashram.
The moonlight covered the mountains.
His muscles still hurt from the intense training.
But inside his mind—
Excitement burned.
'This is the path to true power.'
'Under Parshuram… I will surpass every warrior in history.'
High above the sky…
The Sun God watched silently.
A proud warmth filled the heavens.
Because his son had begun walking the road that would one day shake the entire world.