As Karna uttered those words, the remnants of Jalandhara, now dissolved into pure abyssal energy, responded to his command. The malevolent essence swirled and coalesced, gradually taking shape as a shadowy figure.
The Lord of the Abyssal Depths, defeated but not destroyed, rose as a loyal servant under the command of the Shadow Monarch.
"I am yours to command, My lineage."
Karna, now with the title of Shadow Monarch and the newly acquired Trident of the Abyssal Lord, stood amidst the celestial warriors and his shadowy servants. The purified celestial realm bore witness to the aftermath of the intense conflict that had unfolded.
"Amm... Angraj can we leave this...place? everyone must be worried as we were kind of kidnapped." Out of everyone present only Duryodhana still had a little courage to speak.
Karna, now in control of the celestial realm, glanced around at the aftermath of the intense battle. The celestial warriors and shadowy servants awaited his command, and the purified stardust beneath their feet reflected the renewed brilliance of the celestial realm.
"Indeed, Duryodhana. Let us return,"
"Comeback!"
As Karna's voice resounded all shadow soldiers rushed back into the shadow of Karna. No one could even think that a whole army resided inside Karna's shadow.
"Medea Come!"
Medea, still in her Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python form, slithered towards Karna with a majestic presence. Then transformed into her small white snake form and latched onto Karna's wrist like a bracelet with a content hiss.
"Kartavirya Arjuna! Take us back."
A single shadow appeared in front of Karna while kneeling, "As you wish, My lineage."
A drop of black liquid-like substance appeared on the palm of shadow Kartavirya Arjuna, which started expanding and covered everyone present, enveloping them in a shroud of darkness.
The celestial warriors, shadowy servants, Karna, and Duryodhana all felt a momentary weightlessness as they were transported through the shadows.
[Royal Arena, Outside the City of Hastinapur]
Screams!!!
"WHAT WAS THAT!!!"
"PRINCES ARE KIDNAPPED!!!"
"AAHHHHH!!!"
Screams and shouts resonated all over the arena as they saw their beloved princes and Angraj vanish without a trace.
The sudden disappearance of the princes and Angraj sent shockwaves through the Royal Arena. Confusion and panic gripped the spectators as they tried to make sense of the mysterious event.
Within the city of Hastinapur, the commotion reached the ears of the king, the ministers, and the citizens. Hastinapur, once bustling with activity, now descended into chaos as rumors spread about the sudden disappearance of the princes and Angraj.
King Dhritarashtra, seated on his throne, demanded an explanation from the ministers. The atmosphere in the court was tense, and the ministers exchanged worried glances.
"Your Majesty, it seems the princes and Angraj Karna have vanished from the Royal Arena," one of the ministers reported, his voice filled with concern.
"What do you mean vanished? How is that possible?" King Dhritarashtra questioned, his blind eyes reflecting the unease within him.
"Even Mahamahim and Guru Dronacharya cannot locate them in this realm. It's as if some unknown force spirited them away," another minister added.
The news of the disappearance of the princes and Angraj Karna spread like wildfire, not only within the Royal Arena but also throughout the city of Hastinapur. Panic and confusion gripped the people as they struggled to comprehend the sudden and mysterious event.
King Dhritarashtra, though blind, could sense the tension in the air. His reliance on the ministers for information was evident as he sought to understand the gravity of the situation.
"Vanished? Impossible! What force could spirit them away so swiftly?" King Dhritarashtra's voice boomed in the court.
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, unable to provide a satisfactory answer. The absence of the princes and Angraj Karna posed a serious challenge, and the court was on the verge of chaos.
Just then, the royal advisor stepped forward, a look of concern etched on his face. "Your Majesty, this disappearance... it bears the mark of something beyond our understanding. Perhaps it is a divine intervention or a force from realms we cannot fathom."
As the court deliberated on the possible explanations, the citizens of Hastinapur gathered outside the Royal Arena, clamoring for information. The rumors spread like wildfire, painting various scenarios of the prince's fate.
"K-Karna, W-Where are you?" Kamini still stood shocked staring at the center of the arena from where Karna vanished.
"D-Don't worry this is K-Karna we are talking about he will come back to us, Yes h-he will come back..." Brinda said but didn't know who she was trying to comfort others or herself.
Draupadi, Scáthach, Kali, Mandodari, Tara, and Lilith were too engrossed in their thoughts. The sudden disappearance had taken everyone by surprise, and the uncertainty of the situation lingered in the air.
But one person was looking at all this with a deep frown on his face which had now turned into a thoughtful expression. Krishna, who had been a silent spectator to the unfolding events, felt missing pieces in this puzzle.
'How is he still alive?' Krishna's mind raced with thoughts as he observed the chaos unfolding in the Royal Arena. The sudden disappearance of Karna and the princes puzzled him deeply, but amidst the confusion, one question lingered prominently: How was Kartavirya Arjuna still alive?
'Something is happening in the background, Something big.' As the chaos ensued in the Royal Arena and the city of Hastinapur, Krishna, the silent observer, continued to ponder the mysteries surrounding Karna and the reappearance of Kartavirya Arjuna. His sharp intellect and intuition sensed that something significant was happening in the background, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that a larger, more intricate plan was at play.
'Please stay safe, Brother.'
[Somewhere Unknown]
"HOW COULD THEY DIE?" The cloaked figure, obscured by darkness was consumed by anger, continued to unleash his fury upon the surroundings. The space around him seemed to respond to his emotions, distorting and warping as if reflecting the turmoil within.
"A SINGLE INSECT KILLED THEM? WHAT A DISGRACE!!!" As the cloaked figure expressed his rage in the unknown space, the echoes of his fury reverberated, causing ripples in the fabric of the unseen realm. The darkness responded to his anger, swirling and bending in chaotic patterns.
"Master, their demise was an unforeseen consequence. The power of the Shadow Monarch and the Trident of the Abyssal Lord exceeded our calculations," a disembodied voice echoed in the void.
The cloaked figure turned toward the source of the voice, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Calculations? Do not speak to me of calculations! I had crafted the perfect plan, and they were to be my pawns in this grand scheme. Now they are lost!"
"Master even we couldn't calculate that Karna would gain powers of Shadow Monarch amid our plan and the interference of the Trident of the Abyssal Lord. The convergence of these unexpected variables led to the demise of our pawns," the disembodied voice explained, its tone respectful yet cautious.
The cloaked figure clenched his fists, his anger gradually subsiding into a brooding contemplation. "Shadow Monarch... Abyssal Lord's Trident... intriguing developments indeed. But how could Karna acquire such power? It defies the very essence of our control."
"Master, the origins of these powers are elusive, beyond our understanding. It appears that the Abyssal energy and the celestial forces clashed, giving rise to a phenomenon we did not anticipate," the voice continued, attempting to explain the enraged figure.
The cloaked figure paced in the darkness, his thoughts shrouded in contemplation. "This unforeseen outcome has disrupted the balance of our carefully crafted plans. The Shadow Monarch is now an unpredictable variable in this grand design."
"What shall we do, Master?" the voice inquired, seeking guidance.
A malicious glint flickered in the eyes of the cloaked figure as a sinister smile formed beneath the shadows of his hood. "Adapt, my servant. Adapt to the unforeseen and use it to our advantage. The Shadow Monarch may have disrupted our plans, but it also presents an opportunity. Karna's newfound powers can be harnessed, controlled, and bent to our will."
"As you command, Master," the voice acquiesced, and the unseen forces in the void responded, aligning themselves with the will of the cloaked figure.
"I will get that evil world tree from you Karna, and will destroy the whole universe if necessary, just to see you suffer!" The cloaked figure's words echoed with a malevolence that resonated through the unknown space.
"Hiranyaksha! Hiranyakashipu! Come here."
In response to the cloaked figure's command, two ominous shadows emerged from the darkness. The first took the form of Hiranyaksha, a colossal and ferocious demon, while the second materialized as Hiranyakashipu, another formidable entity. Both beings kneeled before the cloaked figure, acknowledging his presence.
"We are at your service, Master," Hiranyaksha boomed, his voice resonating with power.
"What is your command, Lord of Shadows?" added Hiranyakashipu, his tone echoing a blend of loyalty and malevolence.
The cloaked figure, still obscured in darkness, began outlining his plan. "Karna, the Shadow Monarch, has gained unexpected powers. Powers that could threaten our designs. However, I see an opportunity in this twist of fate."
Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu exchanged glances, awaiting further instructions.
"We will exploit Karna's newfound abilities. Bend them to our will. The Shadow Monarch may have disrupted our initial plans, but it opens a door to a more potent force. The abyssal energy and celestial forces that clashed have created a unique power within Karna. We shall harness it," the cloaked figure declared with an air of determination.
"As you command, Master. We will ensure the Shadow Monarch's powers serve your purpose," affirmed Hiranyakashipu.
"Karna's demise is no longer the priority. Instead, we will turn him into a pawn, a puppet dancing to our tune. With the Shadow Monarch's power under our control, we can proceed with the grand scheme," the cloaked figure explained, his malevolent intent palpable.
Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu nodded in agreement, ready to carry out the dark agenda.
"Go now. Enter the realms and observe. Be discreet, for now. Await my further commands," the cloaked figure commanded.
With a bow, the two formidable beings vanished into the shadows, leaving the cloaked figure alone in the unknown space. The darkness seemed to respond to his malevolence, swirling and pulsating as if in anticipation of the impending chaos.
The cloaked figure, now left to his contemplation, muttered to himself, "Karna, Shadow Monarch, you will be the key to my success."
"HAHAHA!!!"