Night, Inner Chambers

Arjun and Bheema stood before Karna, who looked like a statue, a deadly one.

"Shreeman ..."

Karna growled softly, looking at both of them.

"Begone. Your presence only fuels my rage." He cracked his knuckles to the teak chair, trying to control his beast. 

Shakuni wouldn't be spared, not atleast by him. He would tear his limbs apart and keep him alive.

Arjun sighed. " Ishani will be al..." Karna didn't allow him to complete his sentence, holding his neck in a steel grip as he was pushed to the wall. Bheema's eyes widened, trying to understand what exactly was happening. 

Arjun coughed, trying to remove his hand, but Karna only squeezed harder. " You hated her in the beginning, egoistic brat. Called her names and disrespected her. And you have the audacity to offer you dearest condolences! Fie upon your family which is so evil! The least you could do is to keep your uncle in control.."

" Karna.." Krishna's stern voice made him drop Arjuna, who sucked in a whole lot of air, wheezing for his life. 

He placed a hand on his shoulder, when Karna pushed it away. "I don't wish to be pitied at, Vasudev. Kindly understand my state of mind."

Krishna signalled the two to leave, who were more than happy to. He clutched his hand, not allowing Karna to leave. 

"Your fury is the main cause of my concern, Karna. Ishani wouldn't like it, would she? If not for us, atleast for her.."

"I hate black-mailing.. Vasudev." Karna ripped the curtains, coming face to face with the dark sky. He clenched his fists as a copper glass came into his view, Krishna holding it.

With a quick gulp, he placed the glass on the table, looking at Krishna. 

"You'll never know. I-I have been living my life as a low-caste filth, judged by the royals for daring to achieve more than them. No woman has ever dared to cross paths with me, for I was the criminal in everyone's eyes. Going against the Dharmic Empire, I wanted something which wasn't mine. But a happy life is every man's right, isn't it?"

Krishna said nothing, staring at Karna. " The universe always has its way of showing you how much it loves you.."

Karna chuckled. "Yes, it showed me indeed, by sending a goddess I never deserved. I couldn't believe I got something good in my life. And when I finally began to savour her, the universe smiled wickedly, snatching her away. Tell me, Krishna, will I lose her too? I was never afraid of losing anything, because I had nothing. Now... my heart is trying to squeeze itself, thrashing around in that merciless fear of not seeing her again.."

"She will come back.. Fate is in her favour, Karna.. There is no need to despair.."

His eyes turned dark. " Those men almost... had their way with her, and you tell me to calm down? They tried to kill her.. even after injuring her they still kept their lustful eyes on her.. AND YOU SAY IT'S ALRIGHT?"

Krishna's eyes darkened. "Things will be worse, Vasusen. This is only the beginning.."

Karna's eyes snapped open, a deadly shade of red. His monster had resurfaced. He looked at Krishna, breathing heavily.

"What do you mean? Who dares to?" 

He smiled wistfully, looking at the moon. " You must know why I got her here. She is hell-bent on changing the history, and for once I let her be, for it is necessary. But we all need to pay a heavy price for our happiness, and if you wish that she must be yours, then it's a serious issue." 

The lanterns flickered, not able to bear Karna's chilly gaze. "Why? Is there someone better? Or am I not worthy?" He whispered, like he was afraid of lashing out.

Krishna sighed. " Even as we talk, they are weaving conspiracies, hoping to snatch her away. Imagine if an unmarried Goddess is on earth. All celestials will surely take advantage and try to take her for themselves. That's what is happening here. Her scent has aroused the demons..who are waiting in Pataal. A moment of carelessness, and they'll whisk her off.." Karna gripped the railing, taking deep breaths.

The idea of some stupid demon with lustful intentions eyeing Ishani didn't sit well with him. He wanted to protect her from their evil gazes, but he knew  she loved her freedom more than anything else. He hated to restrict her, like some dominant chauvinists who chained their beloveds and called it possesiveness. 

"We need to keep bodyguards for her, Krishna. We can't be by her side all the time so.." He looked at the sky longingly. 

'Ishani. She didn't wake up yet.' His beast whimpered, controlling the urge to meet her. 

"We'll go see her. I sense your worry." Krishna smiled painfully , clutching his hand as he led him out of the chambers. Karna struggled to control himself. God forbid, if he did something rash.. he would never forgive himself.

"Vasudev.. I don't know if.." Krishna shook his head sternly. " Do you know why I stopped Vidyut from asking a compensation yesterday? " Karna looked bewildered as to why that came up.

Truthfully speaking, he didn't even pay much attention to that King..

"As a compromise for hurting the queen, he wanted to marry Ishani.." Karna's heart stopped.

He roared profanities, yelling about murdering the king. He was about to walk to his chambers when Krishna stopped him, pulling him back. "That's why, be by her side. Otherwise, I have an inkling he might be around her recuperating room every time. " Karna growled, muttering curses which were definitely not meant for anyone's ears.

They stopped before the corner end chambers in the women apartments. The torches were still burning, and light jingling of anklets resounded. 

Krishna pulled the curtains apart, to see Ishani looking like a pale , lifeless doll, in deep sleep. The wind kissed her gently, hoping that her eyelashes would  move a bit, but they didn't flutter. 

A thick muslin gauze was wrapped around her neck, splattered red. Her face had herbal brown paste to her scratches, and her abdomen was tightly wrapped in white, but the stab wound was visible. Her lips were bright red, whether from abuse or it was simply natural Karna didn't know. 

"Ishani.. Please.." Karna 's broad shoulders shook in agony, steadying himself as he knelt by her bedside. 

"It's always my fault.. I should've known they wouldn't let you off so easily.. I'll make sure that bastard pays for it.. " He hissed, his monster for once agreeing with him..

Meanwhile,

Ishani wanted to move, but her body refused to obey. She wanted to tell Karna she was fine, but something held her back. It baffled her as to why the men took her captive, almost killing her but failed miserably.

Was it Shakuni? Oh, why was he hell bent on taking her life? As if she hadn't changed enough things. But she knew Karna or Krishna would've saved her.

Though a tiny part of her wished it was the former. It was then that she saw something horrible.

More like a vision.

Adhirath and Radha were bound by chains, screaming out in pain as guards whipped them with brutal force. Shakuni stood there, clearly enjoying it.

"Karna is not your son! Yes or No?" 

"Don't tell him!" Ishani wanted to scream, but she knew they couldn' t stand it anymore.

"He.. We found him floating in a basket!" Adhirath yelled , gasping as the whipping stopped.

A slow smirk crawled Shakuni's face. 

"Please.. spare us.. " Radha sunk onto the dirty floor, but Shakuni giggled.

"You dream well, for an old hag ! Don't worry, I'll keep you until Ishani surrenders herself. Let's see whom your adopted son will save. His beloved parents or his new-found lover!"

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