"Walk Samragyi! If you truly love your son, walk towards your husband. " He called.

My heart thudded in my chest. How was I to go now? And where was I to go now?

" Come Samragyi? Why are you so scared now! " He jeered. I looked around, no one was there to help.

Yudhishthir looked up midfight, his eyes dark.

My feet shivered as I took my first step towards the man fighting...

'Walk towards Yudhishthir sakhi. Walk'. I heard Krishn say, as he arrived, reigns in hand with Arjun on board.

'It's exactly what I'm doing...' I thought angrily, my eyes filling with tears as I watched our side fail today.

'You're walking towards your brother sakhi. Your husband is on the chariot'. He chastised and I looked up shook.

'What -' I stopped short, not even halfway to my hus-no.. As per Krishn... Towards AJ.

'Trust me Sakhi... Trust me'. He said and I frowned, nodding.

I could see GuruDron breathe a sigh of relief, as I had begun walking.

I turned around, walking over to the man on the horse and I saw him sigh internally, as if his life was returned to him.

GuruDron watched, fear crippling his heart once more.

When I walked over, the man got off the horse and gave me his hand.. All doubts were cleared. His hand... I would recognize that hand even with a blindfold.

" This is my husband GuruDron! " I yelled out and he fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he shook with grief and agony, his howls of pain shattered my whole heart, despite falling into Yudhishthir's comforting arms.

" I surrender my weapons. Without my son, there is nothing else to fight for. " He said, hoarsely, removing his armour and dropping his bow.

As he sat down, in a meditative state, a furious Dhrishtadyumn sliced his head off, his anger evident, a purpose fulfilled.

" No! " An enraged voice called, as Ashwatthama skidded into the field, his eyes dark with fear as he saw his father's severed head, eyes dark and vengeful as they looked at me.

" You! This is because of you! I'll make sure you suffer for this! Just as I lost my father,his love and his care,your children will have to grow without their mother's love! " He screamed, pointing a shaky finger at me.

With shaky hands he fell down, taking his father's head, reverently holding it close, the blood wetting his dhoti.

But I couldn't care.. Anger bubbled in my throat..

How dare he? How dare he -

"Sagarika.. We don't have the time. " A rational voice pulled me out of my angry spiral, as he pulled me away and we returned to the fight, leaving behind a vengeful son and his deceased father.

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" Sagarika-"

" I'll have to draw better flames around them and Yudhishthirrestricted only to me. No one else will enter. No one -"

" Sagarika-"

" I'll not fight tomorrow. I'll stay here. No I won't fight. I don't need to, Yudhishthir will stay in my eyesight-"

" Priye-" Yudhishthir attempted to stop Saag's constant pacing.

" I'll have more guards, I'll take him to Indraprasth-"

" Bhabhishree-"

"Or I'll take him back to Pragjyotishpur-"

" Saag! " I finally screamed at her. She looked up, as if a deer caught in the headlights.

"Priye... You must calm-"

" HOW CAN YOU TELL ME TO CALM, HE THREATENED MY CHILDREN'S PARENTS!-"

" HE ALSO THREATENED THE LIFE OF MY SISTER! BUT YOU DONT SEE ME PACING AND ACTING MAD DO YOU! " I screamed back at her, watching her face fall.

" I can't! I won't leave my children alone.. Not like this. I won't leave them to suffer,not without the love of a father and mother. Not like how I grew up." She fell into her husband's arms, then shuffled back in fear.

" Didi. " A soft voice called and Mini walked over.

No.. Not you.. What are you about to hurt her now with.

"Mini-"

"Bhaiya shh. " She said, eyes trained on Saag.

"Didi... You know that you'll be fine right.. You cannot die anymore remember? " She said softly and Saag shook her head.

" You don't understand. I know that. But once Ashwatthama realises that, he'll go for Yudhishthir. I can't let my children live without a father-"

" You must trust him to take care of himself Sagarika. " A deep voice called as Karn stood up, walking to her.

" No! You saw what they did to him in the sabha.. I can't see him like this.. And I know Yudhishthir is a fierce warrior, but so is Ashwatthama and I - "

" So are you letting your love for your husband, your trust in him be overshadowed by your fear of a man? " He asked her, his voice sending fear down us all.

"No - I -"

"No? Because it seems like that's exactly what you are doing. This is your problem Samragyi Sagarika. You let your fear overcome the trust you put in others. You let your fear overpower your love. If that was the case, why love my brother at all? Why put your trust in him at all? " He said sternly and Saag's eyes glassed over.

" I- because I'm scared... I've seen them do everything Jyeshth... It's fear.. Pure fear... I can't.. It's as if it'll choke me -" She whispered.

Pin drop silence reigned in the room.

Karn's eyes softened as he pulled her into a hug... He ran his hand through her hair and hushed her...

" But you must overcome that fear my dear sister.. You love my brother. Trust him, trust us.. Trust yourself to protect him... Devi Savitri snatched her husband's life from death himself. We're only speaking of Drauni. You shouldn't fear so much sister. " He said warmly to her...

" Yes bhabhishree. We'll die before-"

She slapped a hand over Arjun's mouth. "No one is dying. You aren't dying. " She cried.

" What bhrata Arjun means to say is," Nakul said, " We're here for you and Jyeshth Yudhishthir bhabhishree. Just trust us.. " He said and she nodded.

" But Krishn... What changed. Why the last minute change? " Sulo asked and the man in question finally sighed.

While Saag sat back with Yudhishthir, burrowing into his arms, she held her face up, hoping to hear the explanation he gave us before we left..

" Mitr. Jyeshth. Stop. " Krishn called and we looked back in surprise.

" What is it? " I asked and he sighed.

" Ajatshatru, you'll not be the one lying. " He said and Yudhishthir's head snapped up.

"What? Why? " He asked and I nodded in agreement.

" Because that elephant has a soul, older than whatever Devi Sulohita's animal loving heart wishes for. Even I don't want the death of an animal unnecessarily, but he was brought here specifically for this purpose. He is meant to be killed in such a way. His soul has travelled many eons.. Once, many years ago, he was a king. A king who killed an elephant just to achieve his means of victory.. That day, the Mahavat of the elephant cursed him to suffer a similar death, one where he was only the means to an end. And further, he'd loose his life suffering the same pain his elephant did. Hence, this elephant needs to die." Krishn said.

" But Vasudev. I will not lie-"

" You don't need to Jyeshyt. When GuruDron asks, if he does, tell me Yudhishthir if Ashwatthama is dead, all you must say is Ashwatthama is dead. It's not a lie Jyeshth. Because Bhrata Bheem will kill Ashwatthama."

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Plot twist!
.hahah... Saag won't loose that easily...

Tell me how this was and do vote. Much love

Radhekrishn ♥