"Thwag!"
An arrow sliced through the air and struck the wooden target with deadly precision. The crowd gasped. Applause erupted.
Karna watched from the edge of the massive arena, the sun blazing above like a witness. The echo of each arrow released by Arjuna rang through his chest like thunder.
"Twang!" "Whizz!" "Thud!"
Another perfect shot. Another wave of cheers.
Karna's hands twitched. His bow — the one he had carved and strung with his own sweat — rested at his side, burning to be used.
The princes stood at the center of the arena. Guru Drona beamed at Arjuna like a proud father. The elders nodded in approval.
"Today," Drona announced, "you have seen skill unmatched! This is the might of Arjuna — the jewel of the Kuru house!"
The crowd roared again. Karna's jaw clenched.
A voice inside him screamed — You can do this. More than this. Show them.
He took a breath.
And stepped forward.
Thump… thump… thump…
Each footstep rang louder than the last. The crowd turned, murmurs rising like a wave. A young man, clad not in silk but humble cloth, stepped into the sacred ground.
"I wish to challenge Arjuna," Karna said firmly.
Gasps.
"Who is that?" someone whispered.
"A warrior?"
"He looks… poor."
"Drona didn't mention another student…"
Arjuna narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?" he asked, voice sharp.
Karna raised his chin. "A man trained in the art of war. I wish to prove my worth."
Drona's brows furrowed. "And under whose guidance did you learn, boy?"
"My guru is mighty," Karna replied. "His name will not shame this arena."
"Then speak it."
Karna hesitated. If I say Parashurama, they'll question it…
"I have learned well," he deflected. "That is enough."
A cold voice cut through the air. "It is not enough."
Bhishma.
The grandsire rose slowly, his white hair shining under the sun.
"To challenge a prince of Hastinapura, one must be of noble birth. Are you a prince, boy? A king? A kshatriya?"
Karna's heart pounded.
"I am a warrior," he said.
"But what is your birth?" Bhishma pressed. "Who is your father?"
Silence.
Karna's lips parted. Then closed.
"Answer," Drona said sternly.
Radha's face flashed in his mind. Her warm eyes. Her trembling hands when she hugged him. His father's quiet strength. The horses. The dust.
"I am the son of a charioteer," he said at last.
Gasps again. But this time, filled with disdain.
"A sutaputra!" someone sneered.
"He dares step into the arena?"
"How dare he challenge a prince?"
Laughter rose.
Karna's fists clenched. His eyes burned.
Arjuna's smirk returned. "Go home, sutaputra. This is not your place."
Karna stepped forward. "Does the arrow ask your name before it strikes? Does the target care for your bloodline? Let me shoot, and judge me by my aim."
Bhishma raised a hand. "The rules are not made for passion. They are made for order. You may have skill, but you have no standing here."
Karna's throat ached with fury. His blood screamed for justice. Was this what fate offered him? A cage built from the accident of his birth?
Just then—
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Heavy footsteps. A voice loud and regal.
"If birth is all that matters, then allow me to change his stars."
The crowd turned.
Duryodhanan.
Clad in gleaming armor, with pride in his stride, the prince of Hastinapura walked into the arena, a mocking smile on his lips.
"This warrior may not have a title — yet. But I, Duryodhanan, crown him today."
He turned toward the dais.
"Let it be known. From this moment, Karna is the king of Anga."
Boom!
The crowd erupted into disbelief.
Karna stood frozen.
"What…?"
Duryodhanan drew his sword, stepped forward, and in front of the elders, placed a crown upon Karna's head.
"You have your title now, Karna," he whispered. "Now, show them what you're made of."
Karna's chest trembled.
No one had ever done this for him.
He bowed. "I am forever in your debt, my friend."
Duryodhanan clapped him on the back. "Debts are for lesser men. Stand with me — that's all I ask."
The crowd still murmured, still judged, but Karna no longer heard them.
He stepped back into the arena. Bow ready. Eyes blazing.
The insult of his birth still burned… but so did the fire of a new beginning.