Duryodhan and Karna were standing on both sides of Tiasha. Karna noticed how Tiasha became stiff as soon as the dance started. He followed her gaze which was set on the entrance of the temple, but saw nothing. At first, she smiled at what she saw, and then her eyes widened. Then she looked like she was almost in a trance. He saw her eyes shifting from the entrance to the dancing Sadhu Adinatha, who also was looking at the entrance. Karna frowned, was he missing something?

The speed of the dance increased. Karna could hear Tiasha's heavy breathing. He looked at her concerned. He kept looking at her from time to time.

But the dance in front prevented him from asking her anything. This was the most divine dance he had ever seen in his life. Keeping Sadhu Adinatha in the center round fifteen-twenty males almost half naked, wearing only red loincloth and Rudraksha mala, covered in ashes performed the most celestial dance ever. Everyone around them was too mesmerised to even blink. The dance was dangerous yet it was the most beautiful sight anyone could see with their flash eyes.

As the dance was coming to an end Karna again looked at Tiasha. He saw her eyes filled with tears to the brim threatening to roll down her cheeks any moment. With the last bit of the song, Tiasha's iris rolled almost to the back of her head.

Karna immediately understood what was happening. Before her body could tumble back and hit the ground his strong arms were wrapped around her. Duryodhan's eyes snapped towards his Mitra and his Sakhi.

He saw Karna holding Tiasha's limp body in his arms, her eyes half closed only the white part visible through her long lashes. Duryodhan surprised and concerned called in a whisper, "Sakhi, what happened to you?"

Dushala who was standing beside Duryodhan turned to her brother and Tiasha's direction only to find them in the ground. Tiasha was lying unconscious, Karna supporting her body and Duryodhan crouching down beside them. Dushala rushed to her side and called Tiasha, panic setting in her heart, "DIDI!"

Dushala's panicked screech drew everyone's attention to the four figures on the ground.

Ashwatthama and Yudhishthira appeared next to them in the blink of an eye. Bhishma hurried towards them and asked concerned, "What happened to Putri Tiasha?"

-"I don't know, she just lost consciousness and fell down." Karna said not looking at anyone when he picked her up in bridal style. He rested her head gently on his shoulder. His eyes went to Bhupendra.

-"Bhupendra, call Vaidya mahasay immediately." Karna ordered.

Bhupendra nodded and left to get the Vaidya. Karna brought Tiasha to her chamber and laid her down on her bed. A visibly worried Duryodhan, Ashwatthama, Pandavas and Dushala entered after him. Dushala sat beside Tiasha holding her hand Dushala gently called, "Didi?"

Karna sighed, "Rajkumari, Can you please look after her till the Vaidya arrives?" Dushala nodded. Karna left the chamber and went to see why it was taking Bhupendra so long to bring the Vaidya.

At the entrance of the palace, Karna met Sadhu Adinatha and his anuchars.

-"Seems like overworking has taken a toll on Devi Tiasha's health."

Karna folded his hands and pleaded with him with his eyes, "Baba, will she be ok?"

-"Mahamantri has gone to bring Vaidya Mahasay, do not worry Maharaj, she will be ok in no time. Now if Maharaj permits, it's time for us to leave."

-"Baba, please stay for a few more days."

-"No Maharaj, my work here is done I cannot stay here anymore."

Karna requested, "At least stay till Tiasha wakes up. After waking up she will be so upset when she hears you left and she couldn't meet you for the last time."

Sadhu Adinatha smiled, "Maharaj, I cannot stay even if I want to. I am sure Devi will understand." Karna sighed. He bent down and touched Adinatha's feet.

Adinatha blessed him and proceeded on his journey with his anuchars.

After reaching the temple gate, Adinatha told his cowhorn-wearing anuchar, "Nandi, go back to Kailash with the other, I and Mata will return very soon."

Nandi bowed and all of them vanished in thin air.

The disguise of Adinatha withered upon entering the central Upasana kaksha of the temple.

Mahabhairav joined Mahakali and Vishnu in his human form.

Krishna smiled at Sadashiv and stood up. Mahakali also got up and stood next to her husband.

Krishna smiled brightened as he said, "It's time. Time for her to know her truth."

Mata Kali nodded mirroring Krishna's smile.

Mahadev and Mahakali vanished leaving behind two glowing orbs which got absorbed into the walls of the temple. Krishna's celestial attire changed and he wore a simple yellow dhoti and Angavastra with a green border. He made his way towards the palace.

--

Tiasha opened her eyes and saw two obsidian orbs looking down at her face smiling. She realised her head was resting on the lap of the mother of the universe. Mata Kali combed through her hair lovingly. As she looked at her, Mata Kali lowered her face and placed a kiss on her forehead. Then her own forehead rested upon Tiasha's and Tiasha was transferred into another world.

She stood amongst clouds on a snow-covered mountaintop and saw the three divine figures that she saw earlier today. Two other figures were present. The four-headed and four-armed, creator of the universe Brahma. With a Vina and kartal in his hand the Param Narayan bhakta Muni Narada.

Narayan folded his hands to Mata Kali, "Time has arrived, without your help I won't be able to do anything, Mata."

Kali smiled, "She arose from my body, she is my blessing, and she will be known as Kaushiki."

Mata Kali's body glowed and slowly it centred at her third eye. A blue glowing orb emerged from her third eye and descended to earth.

Mahakali smiled as the orb entered a sleeping woman's womb.

-"Every single being on this planet are my children. I want to experience my children's life through her. I want to feel their pain, their hurt, their struggle their love, their sorrow, their joy, their everything...just like you Narayan."

Narayan laughed, "I have quite some experience, I will help out. I am also going in a few moments."

Another white orb appeared this time from Narayan's forehead. It also descended to earth and entered another woman's womb.

The scene changed again. The ear-piercing scream of two women could be heard followed by the soft cries of infants simultaneously. In two different places were born two babies, one inside a cold dark prison, one in a picture-perfect peaceful village. The one born inside the prison is a boy with midnight dark skin, dark brown eyes and thick curly black hair. The other is a baby girl with tan dusky skin, chocolate brown eyes and a head full of soft wavy brown hair. Both the babies could put even the moon in shame. 

The women fell asleep due to tiredness. The fathers of the babies held them close to their hearts. One beaming with happiness other trembling in fear. 

Two celestial silhouettes appeared in front of them and what they told them made their hearts shatter into pieces. The babies must be given away, the boy needs to be kept safe so the sacrifice of the girl must be made. 

The guards of the prison fell unconscious in sleep. Gates opened by themselves making way for the father to bring his son to safety. On that stormy night, the man walked all the way to his distant cousin's home to leave his son there and bring his cousin's daughter back. 

While exchanging the babies, the father of the girl held her close for a few extra seconds. He knows he would not have a chance to see her grow up. He will never get to hold her again. She will never call him Pitashree. He will never get to know what her sweet voice will sound like when she calls her Pitashree. He will never get to see a young girl, his Nilmani playing around the house. She will never cause trouble to her Maiya. Never hide behind him to save herself from Maiya's scolding. She will never tug on his Angavastra and request him to play with her. He will never see her getting married. She is a guest on this earth only for a few moments. He kissed the baby girl's forehead and a divine smile appeared on her face which made the man break down into cries while holding the boy. 

The boy's father came back and handed over the child to his wife. Both of them thought they were the worst kind of human beings on the planet. They are going to sacrifice a little bud who didn't even get the chance to bloom. They are sacrificing another innocent to ensure their son's safety. 

As the couple were shading tears a big bulky man entered inside their cell. He snatched the baby from his sister's hand. A girl!

He recovered from his initial shock and was ready to throw the baby on the ground. He remembered the day of his sister's wedding. He remembered the Akash Bani which stated his sister's eighth child would bring his life to an end. He cannot allow this baby to grow old, be it a boy or a girl. 

He threw the baby on the ground and instead of the baby, there stood a divine feminine figure. Her hair was open eyes fierce. The golden glow coming from her body made them cover their eyes with their arms.

"Kamsa, be prepared. Your end is preparing himself in Gokul." Her voice echoed through the prison walls. The couple fell on their feet folding their hands to her. 

The figure turned into a blue glowing orb and travelled upwards to the sky. 

The scene again changed and Tiasha saw the blue glowing orb entering into another woman's womb. This time the woman is very familiar to her. She is none other than her own mother. 

Her father's happy face flashed in front of her eyes. He was holding a little bundle in his arms. 

Her. 

-XX- 

Hey guys! This is a very special chapter. From a story perspective and also for the reason that Beyond Times has got 1k votes!!

The inspiration behind this chapter was this song

https://youtu.be/EZbQ-uaDbw4

I am totally obsessed with this.

Thank you so much you guys for showing show much love. I genuinely appreciate all your lovely comments. Keep commenting people. Tell me if you like the chapter or not and share your opinions and suggestions as well.

Thank you again for reading and voting. Take care, Adiós, my lovely readers ❤️.