~Legends in life, immortals in death, they departed with heads held high.
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Ruff, overwhelmed by guilt and sorrow, held Karna's lifeless body gently, tears streaming down his face. He stammered through his apology, his voice quivering with regret.
"I-I didn't... I really didn't want to... I didn't... But my mother... I'm sorry, I'm really sorry... I didn't know what to do... Please, no... No... No..."
His trembling hands tried in vain to stem the flow of blood from Karna's neck, but it was clear that all his efforts were futile. The arrow had struck a mortal wound, and even the best doctor in the world wouldn't have been able to save him in time.
Karna, despite his pain, managed a weak, crooked smile.
"Haha... Why are you crying like a baby, little guy? I know you didn't mean to. It's alright... Everything... is.. alright..."
*Cough*
Before he could finish comforting Ruff, a violent coughing fit overcame him, and he vomited blood. The soldiers rushed to him in panic, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.
"CO-COMMANDER!"
"WH-WHO-H-HOW... DID THIS HAPPEN??!!"
"R-ruff?!... Y-you... THIS MOTHERFU-"
One astute soldier noticed the dagger near Ruff and quickly deduced what had transpired. The others followed suit, their anger towards Ruff temporarily quelled by the tragic scene before them.
A soldier tried to grab Ruff's neck, intending to throw him away from Karna, but the dying commander stopped weakly.
"D-don't... You don't... h-have the right to p-punish him... I will punish him m-myself..."
Tears welled up in the eyes of the soldiers as they understood the weight of Karna's decision. One of them tried to protest,
"B-but-"
"Please, think of it as m-my final o-order to you, my b-brave soldiers."
With trembling fists and heavy hearts, they reluctantly followed the order, shouting in unison,
"Y-YES SIR!"
Karna, mustering all his strength, turned his attention back to Ruff.
"Ruff, are you ready to accept the punishment I'm about to give you?"
Ruff, still in a daze, nodDed vigorously. His heart was heavy with remorse, and he would do anything to atone for his terrible mistake.
Karna's smile, though weak, shone with warmth and forgiveness.
"For trying to take my life... Your punishment is to dedicate your life to helping the innocent, even if it costs you your own. You shall live an honorable life, a life worthy of a true warrior, and a t-tue m-man-"
*cough* *cough* *cough*
Karna struggled to maintain his authoritative tone, but his voice was failing him. Another fit of coughing wracked his body, and this time, Ruff tried to approach him to help. Karna gently raised his hand to stop him.
"P-promise me... that y-you shall f-follow...this p-punishment... till the end... of your l-life!"
Ruff nodded solemnly, tears streaming down his face. Karna had shown him mercy and forgiveness, and now, he had a lifelong duty to fulfill, one that would honor the memory of the fallen commander and bring solace to his own tormented soul.Ruff, tears streaming down his face, nodded vigorously.
"I promise, brother Karna, I promise! I'll do whatever it takes to repent for my mistake!..B-but p-please D-don't....leave m-me...p-please...don't!"
Karna smiled weakly, his breathing growing shallower with each passing moment. He knew that he didn't have much time left.
"Good... R-remember, Ruff... You h-have the heart of a true w-harrior..... within y-you. Don't l-let it be t-tainted..... by regret o-only. Live ....a life of honor.....a-and kind..ness."
The other soldiers stood in solemn silence, their hearts heavy with the realization that they were about to lose their beloved commander. They had seen Karna as the embodiment of strength and leadership, and now...,they watched as he struggled for his last breath.
Karna's gaze shifted to his loyal soldiers.
"M-my brothers... I am proud to have fought al-alongside each and every one ...of you. You are all wa-warriors of u-unmatched valor. p-protect the innocent...d-defend the weak, a-and..... uphold the h-honor of our ....unit...."
With those final words, Karna's eyes lost their gleam, and his hand, which had been resting on Ruff's cheek, went limp.
*thud*
The battlefield, once filled with chaos and violence, fell into an eerie silence.
..................
The soldiers, overcome with grief, bowed their heads in respect. They had lost their commander....their mentor, and their...friend, but they were determined to carry on his legacy.
Ruff, still holding Karna's lifeless body, wept uncontrollably. He knew that he had caused this tragedy, but he also knew that Karna had given him a chance to repent his sin. With a heavy heart, he made a solemn vow to honor Karna's memory by living a life of honor and compassion, just as he had been instructed.
As the soldiers began to gather around Karna's body, a newfound determination filled their hearts. They would continue to fight for justice, just as their commander had taught them. The God of the Battlefield may have fallen, but his spirit would live on in the hearts of those he had inspired.
And so, amidst the gruesome battlefield where screams and bloodshed had once echoed, a new resolve was born,
'HAIL !!! THE WARRIOR !!KARNAAA!!!'
one that would carry the legacy of the fallen commander, Karna, into the future.
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*In the midst of this mysterious 'DARK' void, *
Karna's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself somewhere unknown
"Where... am I?"
he muttered to himself, utterly bewildered.
"Aren't I supposed to be... well...dead? Is this the...afterlife?"
in this bizarre place, Karna suddenly felt a strange presence near his leg. When he tried to check, he was met with an absurd sight.
There, before him, knelt a person in ragged clothes, head bowed low to the ground, and hands clasped in a manner befitting the most dedicated beggar. And ironically, even their attire screamed "beggardom."
The begga-ahem..MAN, in question saw karna awake, shouted in a way that made Karna question his sanity. "Please, kind sir, assist me!"
Karna couldn't believe his eyes—he was left wondering if the afterlife had an unusual sense of humor?