I couldn't breathe. Every atom of my body shook with fear and pain, as if I was the one pierced.

My heart hammered in my chest, even as the blast from Ashwatthama's weapon's immense blast still rang in my ears.

" Sagarika? " I heard Yudhishthir call and felt his hand pull mine, as he pulled me up. Not even giving me time to steady myself as we rushed through the settling dust to the centre of the field. The sun had set and Jaydrath's cold laughter hollowed my soul, as I watched my nightmares come to life.

" Sagarika.. Come! " He pulled further as I tried not to stumble.

" Abhi! Abhi! " I heard a voice cough as Sphulingini's hoarse cries could be heard.

A child... Krishn's words.. No!

As I finally skidded over... I wasn't sure who let out the louder scream, but I was sure I died in that moment once more.

" ABHI! " I screamed, falling to my knees as I pulled his head closer, his body looked as if scarred and injured, the group of people who were responsible for Abhi's condition laughed above, yet Shakuni held a face of contemplation.

" My son! Where is my son! " A furious voice roared as Arjun came charging into the field, eyes bloodshot. He looked like Kaal Bhairav himself stood in the field, eyes dark as the clouds above thundered with him, his bow ready to destroy the world.

"Abhi? " Yudhishthir's voice called and in my fear, I looked at my husband, who looked just as broken as his brother, he looked frightful. Shook.

" Enjoy it! Another 'warrior' on the pandav's side!" Duryodhan roared.

As they left, my eyes finally fell back to the head in my lap.

"My son -"

" Your son is fine. " I growled. My eyes glassed over as I looked down at Abhi.

My son...

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A few hours ago....

"Mama Krishn. " Abhi said smiling as Krishn walked into the fire..

Who could stop him, when he himself was the fire.

" My dear.. What chaos are you upto today! " He said brightly, sitting by the side of the 12 year old.

" Well Mamashree. I was thinking.. Maybe tonight I could mix the tree gum in didi's hair scent and watch as her hair all stick together. " He laughed harmlessly, his eyes shining with childish glee and sparkle.

"I have a very important job for you. Are you up for it? " Krishn then said and his nephew looked at him in surprise.

"Me! Yes! Always! " He said, then stopped short, " Is mumma okay with this? " He asked shyly.

Krishn sighed and mentally smacked his forehead. Saag and her overprotective nature.

" Your mumma will be the proudest when you do so. I promise. " He said reassuringly and the little boy, oblivious to the charms of the leeladhar listened close.

" All you have to do is.... "

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

I could feel Saag's anger fume... Yudhishthir had his eyes trained on the ground next to him, his hands shook with rage, body vibrating in self control, which I was sure would eventually break. I couldn't blame him. Had it been my son, I wouldn't have cared who was speaking, god or mortal. They'd be dead by then.

" One request. " Saag murmured and Krishn stopped short in his narration.

" Sakhi? " He asked when Saag stood up abruptly, her son standing by her side, hugging his leg.

Also a quick recap for all of you before I believe the world will cease to exist because of Saag's anger.

Abhi, that is Abhivart and Abhimanyu both survived, because, Abhivart, who's body, as per the lady's blessing was made of Vajr took the impact of Ashwatthama's shakti astr ( a celestial weapon) .

While the impact of it did cause him to fall on Abhimanyu, the blood on Abhi wasn't his own and Saag's son was fine.

However. I am pretty sure Krishn won't be. Narayan or not. Saag was furious.

I had seen Saag mad, betrayed, fearful, angry, furious, all the synonyms for anger. But today, I couldn't encompass it in words.

" I made one request. Keep my children, out of this. " She said, her voice was deathly calm and it shook my own heart.

" Sakhi. You and I both know what conversation we had. I told you before we even stepped into this war. " Krishn replied, though he seemed just as calm, it was as if he was housing his own anger, for what reason I am not sure, but he looked angry too. Maybe not Saag level angry. But angry nonetheless.

" Karali. What is Govind talking about? " Sphulingini attempted to cut the tension, but it was as if her words did the opposite.

" Tell them Vasudev Krishn. Tell them what you told me. " She called, I could feel her heart breaking with each word she said, her voice was about to loose it's bravado. She was furious, but she was scared. For her son's life. For the life of her nieces and her nephews.

It was as if all of a sudden the great was snatched out of my lungs, I couldn't feel myself having the ability to move.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

I let out the loudest scream I could, because I knew it would destroy me on the inside if I didn't.

I don't know how long I screamed, when I stopped and began crying or when I eventually lost my voice screaming hoarsely at the top of my lungs.

" Sakhi -" A hand came to my shoulder but I couldn't take it.

"No! No stay away! Stay away from me! " I screamed at him, heart still thudding from his explanation.

Dragging my son into the field! By playing coy with him! By tricking him?

" I know you are ruthlessly clever Narayan. But I didn't think even you would stoop so low. To bring a child into this! " I shouted, heart about to fall out of my chest.

" Sakhi listen to me, " He said, " You must understand that -" He shook my shoulders but I couldn't relent.

"No! No. Children were always off limits. Whatever you schemed, whatever you planned, children were to be off limits. You knew I abhorr them being dragged into this and you still did it! Then you have the gaul to call me Sakhi? " I asked.

I could feel myself hyperventilating, Abhi may be fine, but whatever happened, what he did, what my son did, my mind couldn't process it. I felt like my body was heating and not from my flame. I felt like my flame would eat me from the inside itself.

" Sakhi calm down you'll hurt yourself-"

" Why do you care!" I wrenched myself out of his hold, " Why do you care! In this birth, for you all relationships that aren't completely yours are just tools for some purpose or the other! My lives, the lives of my brother, my sisters, my husband, my children! At the end of this war, mata Gandhari may loose all her sons. But these? They'll lose their lives fighting a war they didn't even cause." I scowled, looking at the children. Abhimanyu, Shrutkarman, Jyeshth Karn's sons. All of them. They're all pigs for slaughter.

" This isn't justice Krishn. This is just complete anhilation. If you want to do this, just wipe us all out with your sudarshan. You know you can! I know you can! And let me tell you, this war will only have it's effects till the end of dwapar yug. You always tell me how I'm at an advantageous position since I'm a Kaliyugi right! Let me tell you as a Kaliyugi. You weren't there when someone tried to touch me, to physically hurt me. You might have helped me here. But who's helping them? You say this war will teach people to live by principle? There's no law and order in Kaliyug. There only money is the power. The one who has money has the power. Not all but majority. That's what. So if you think wiping away this generation will help you, go ahead. Why let the survivors suffer. Why let them live through this guilt? " I asked, I could feel my throat begging for water, for hope.

I saw Krishn wave his hand as he held a glass of water in front of me, his eyes filled with unshed tears.

"Sakhi.. You don't understand the point of this war.. You don't know why you are fighting. It's not because I'm thinking of the future. Of Kaliyug. I'm thinking of the generations to come. Those who'll carry the stories of this war in heart, fearing the consequences of their sins and taking pride in the good deeds they do. Those who'll change the world, one person one thought at a time. "

" But for that this coming generation must be alive. You're killing it. " I said, looking at the injured Abhimanyu. He'll live. But at what cost?

" What's the point of all this Krishn if the generation you are doing this for wouldn't survive?" I asked again.

" Complete liberation of souls, fulfilment of prophecies, release of the horrors of the world and the success of boons. The fall of those who misuse power and the rise of those who'd guide this world to love and harmony. " His voice said, full of hope.

" And what of those lives who are being offered into this fire of pennance? Of dharm? Do they hold no other meaning than being sacrifices? "

" That is not an option sakhi. Everyone will die. Even you will have to let go of this mortal skin when you ascend to Agnilok. It's just the time and why. And that why isn't in your hands. You don't control why someone will die sakhi. Even I cannot do that. "

" But Krishn - "

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Hard hitting questions?

Also who all thought even minutely of our Abhi when I wrote that as the last line in the last chapter?

Tell me how it was and do vote.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥