Devavinashaka slowly closed his jaws. Not a trace of the celestial weapon remained.
Behind him, Shukracharya burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!" His eyes shone with excitement. "So it has manifested after all. I feared his power of absorption had yet to mature. But now… excellent. Very good."
Karna remained silent. His expression, however, had become considerably more serious.
Without wasting another moment, he raised Vijaya once again. This time, the divine energy gathering around the bow was completely different. Its aura carried neither thunder nor lightning. Instead, it was ancient. Sharp. Relentless.
"Om Bhargavaya Namah,
Jamadagnya Mahaviraya,
Bhrigu-Vamsha-Pradipaya,
Parashu-Dharine Dharma-Rakshakaya,
Yasya Krodhena Dharani Kampate,
Yasya Tejasa Shatravo Vinashyanti,
Mama Dharma-Sankalpam Grihana.
Bhargavastra Divya-Shaktim Prabodhaya!
Mahat-Tejo Vikiraya!
Sarva-Shatrun Samhara!
Om Bhargavastram Mokshayami!"
*
Shukracharya's smile gradually faded.
"…Bhargavastra."
Karna calmly replied, "This time, you can't escape it."
The celestial arrow shot forward.
Devavinashaka laughed. His enormous jaws opened once more. The Bhargavastra vanished into his mouth exactly as before. The demon threw back his head and laughed mockingly.
"So this is all the greatest archer of Aryavarta—"
His voice abruptly stopped. His crimson eyes widened. His laughter turned into a pained gasp.
BOOM!
A violent explosion erupted from within his stomach. The shockwave burst through his back, forcing him several steps backwards. Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. Then another mouthful followed. His entire body trembled.
Shukracharya's face instantly changed.
"No… he was not ready. The absorption has manifested… but his body has yet to become strong enough."
Devavinashaka knelt on one knee, coughing blood continuously. Unlike before, the wounds within him did not heal immediately.
Karna slowly lowered Vijaya. His voice remained calm.
"I shall offer one final opportunity. Leave the treasure behind… and depart peacefully."
His gaze shifted toward Shukracharya.
"Guru Shukracharya. You are among the greatest teachers this world has ever known. You are Mahadeva's disciple. A Brahmin. While you support asuras, your intentions are always noble. And you never did a sin, atleast with your own hands. I cannot bring myself to raise a weapon against you. And my Gurudev taught me that even an Asura deserves a second chance to change. So, I will not take the life of your disciple, that demon of yours. But… If you refuse to stop here… I shall have no choice but to invoke the Brahmastra to erase him for good."
His words echoed throughout the ruined throne hall.
"You know better than anyone… that those slain by Brahmastra cannot be restored—not even by your Sanjeevani mantra."
The atmosphere instantly became heavy. Even Narakasura stopped struggling for a brief moment.
Shukracharya quietly observed Devavinashaka. The demon was still coughing blood. His injuries refused to recover.
After several moments, the Asura Guru slowly lifted his staff.
Karna frowned.
"So… you have chosen to fight me after all, Acharya? Have your obsession with power grown to such an extent that you could no longer distinguish virtue and sin?"
Shukracharya remained silent.
He simply closed his eyes.
Ancient mantras flowed from his lips. The entire throne hall trembled. An overwhelming divine aura descended from the heavens. The shattered ceiling exploded apart. A colossal trident of divine radiance gradually manifested above Shukracharya. Its mere presence caused the world itself to tremble.
"Om Shambhave Namah,
Mahadevaya Trilochanaya,
Trishula-Dharine Rudra-Rupaya,
Yasya Krodhena Trailokyam Kampate,
Yasya Shulena Adharmo Vidaryate,
Mama Dharma-Sankalpam Grihana.
Shambhavastra Divya-Shaktim Prabodhaya!
Sahasra-Trishulan Samudbhavaya!
Sarva-Shatrun Rudra-Shaktya Vidaraya!
Om Shambhavastram Mokshayami!"
*
Karna's breathing stopped. His fingers loosened around Vijaya... the moment he saw the trident.
While he didn't have the knowledge of this Divyastra, which has to be obtained directly from lord Shiva, he knew about it, at the very least.
"…Shambhavastra… The Astra of Mahadeva…"
The bow slowly lowered. Instead, Karna joined both palms together with the bow. His eyes gently closed.
"Hey Mahadeva… In this battle between righteousness and evil… I seek not victory. I seek only justice for Matsya purushas, who died protecting the treasure. I do not fear death. If anything, I feel myself blessed to die in your astra. But that treasure… must not fall into the hands of asuras."
The throne hall fell completely silent. Even Devavinashaka stared in confusion.
Shukracharya slowly opened his eyes. A faint smile appeared upon his aged face.
"A true devotee like you would never raise your weapon against Mahadeva's Astra. But neither… can I insult Mahadeva by using His Astra upon His devotee either."
His gaze slowly shifted toward the crimson pearl.
"If the Asuras cannot possess it… then neither shall Manushya… nor the Devas."
With a wave of his staff, the colossal trident shot downward—not toward Karna, but toward the Kalarakta Mukta.
Karna's eyes flew open.
"What?"
BOOOOOOM!!
The divine trident astra struck the pearl directly. The entire throne hall disappeared beneath an explosion of crimson and golden radiance. The violent shockwave blasted everyone away. Karna was thrown backwards before crashing heavily against the fractured floor. Even Narakasura and Devavinashaka were forced back. The ancient pedestal instantly disintegrated.
As the blinding light gradually faded, everyone looked toward the center.
The pearl… was gone.
In its place floated two separate spheres of energy.
One—a dark green essence. Violent. Poisonous. Its mere presence corroded the surrounding air as drops of emerald venom fell onto the marble, melting everything they touched.
The second—a brilliant golden essence. Gentle. Pure. Filled with boundless divine vitality.
Shukracharya immediately moved. His staff released energy toward both spheres. But before they could reach the golden one, the latter shot toward Karna and then paused. It slowly drifted toward Vijaya on the floor.
The golden essence circled the divine bow once. Then again. And a third time. It was as though it were judging its destined vessel.
The next moment, the bow emitted a deep, ancient hum. The golden essence slowly dissolved into countless motes of light before merging completely into Vijaya.
The bow shone brilliantly. Then its radiance quietly faded.
Silence filled the throne hall.
Even Shukracharya stood frozen.
But his attention was swiftly shifted to the other one.
He used full force against it.
The dark green essence of Halahala struggled violently, attempting to escape. Venom erupted in every direction, melting stone and filling the chamber with poisonous fumes. Shukracharya slammed the base of his staff onto the floor. More threads of energy captured it. The Halahala essence struggled furiously for several moments before finally being forced into the crystal atop the staff. The poisonous aura disappeared instantly.
Shukracharya exhaled slowly before looking toward Karna. Their eyes met.
"Today, we will consider it our loss. But one day, we will meet again… Karna. Then my Devavinashaka will surely take your life."
He placed a hand upon Devavinashaka's shoulder. The injured demon slowly rose to his feet, his crimson eyes never leaving the Suryaputra. Nearby, Narakasura finally snapped apart another cluster of celestial serpents, roaring in fury as more immediately replaced them, preventing him from joining the others.
Shukracharya gave him one final glance.
"Another day."
The space behind them distorted. A massive portal of darkness opened. Without another word, the Guru of the Asuras and Devavinashaka disappeared into it. The portal closed.
Silence descended upon the ruined throne hall once more.
Only the furious roars of Narakasura echoed as he continued battling the countless celestial serpents, while Karna stood motionless for a moment, his hand resting upon Vijaya.
His gaze then shifted to Narakasura. He tightened his grip over his bow.
"I left you alive because I didn't want to disrespect the Gods. They have given you the boon to choose over your death. But you committed another atrocity again. This time..." Karna then raised his voice as if he was making a declaration.
"Wherever that person is hiding, Narakasura… I will bring your destined killer to your doorstep. The next time we meet, it will become your death day."
Karna turned around and walked to the chariot.
NEIGHHH
As they neighed in unison, they turned around and flew away into the sky, leaving behind a suppressed Narakasura who was roaring in frustration and rage...