Karn was creating a statue of Shri Ram, Ma Sita and Lakshman along with Hanuman.
" Look at his tied hair, Karn. Look at his glory ! " Hanuman admired the statue of his Swami and Ma " his entire being screams benevolence. Devi Sita looks so kind !... reminds me of the old days when we marched on Lanka to free Sitama. Ah, good times ".
Hanuman would often reminisce about old times with a wistful look and share stories with the children around here.
They had established their community in an area surrounded by mountains, where they would have a strategic advantage if attacked.
The people had started farming and produced good yields as well, and they had used the surrounding trees to build homes as well
Sahira taught people to fight while Karn taught archery to both boys and girls, and his sister.
Karn was determined to teach Devrya to defend herself and she was eager to learn.
It was amazing how some event that had never happened would give you endless nightmares and self doubts. Karn has been going through that. He could never believe how he had ever considered fighting for those damnable Kuru who would brush the potential humiliation and death of his sister aside.
To hell with secret blood relations, he hated Pandavas and will never fight for them, never let that so called mother of his take advantage of him !.
He never stopped cursing himself for failing to bring a change to society as very little had changed in Sahira's time.
Sahira
Another thing that Karn had been experiencing was his growing feelings for her. He had enjoyed the time he spent with her.
They had both fought against Kshatriya and Kshatriya Kings who wanted to chase them and hunt them down for daring to change society norms. He had grown closer with her as they spent time teaching their people how to fight, discussing ideas for a system that would benefit the people.
Karn appreciated her and gave her the space she needed. He supported her, and took care of her when she got sick. It was because of her that his eyes opened, and he will never leave her alone.
" Help ... " a rasp came close to his ears and he turned around just in time to catch an old man as he fell in his arms.
The man looked haggard, thin and close to the brink of death.
" Tum ... Karn... ho ? (Are you Karn ?) " the man spoke with difficulty and he was abnormally thin while his voice rasped. He was parched and had circles under his eyes.
Karn looked at him in worry and nodded as Hanuman came to his side, giving him water to drink.
" my daughter.... my only child..... was taken by Jarasandh. He took her dignity..... he raped her. He..... cut her into..... pieces. No King gave me justice ...wh....when I.....b-b-b-begged..... please avenge her " the dying man pleaded
" I will ! " Karn promised him, taking his hand in his own in comfort.
" My Prabhu will take you under his shelter, friend " Hanuman softly said to the dead man who had passed, laying him next to Shri Ram's statue. He sadly spoke " Where did that Ramrajya go ?..... where the elders, women and children could walk freely without being harassed for it ".
" We will establish a new Ramrajya..... where women can fight for their rights, where children can learn what they wish to..... and it will start with Jarasandh's death " Karn darkly said.
Karn then turned to the dead man " but first... we have to do his last rites ".
-
" Ayushman bhava, Putra " Radha blessed her son as he touched her feet and the feet of every mother who came to bless him.
" I will watch over Ma and Baba, I swear " Devrya said as she had become a proficient archer in her own right after learning from Karn.
" I want you to watch over yourself too. Never back down, and always live with your head held high " Karn smiled and hugged Devrya who hugged him back.
He then moved to Sahira and asked with a smile " so... any advice as to how I can end him ? ".
" Just remember how he was born and how he got his name " Devrya said with a smirk.
Karn looked surprised and nodded knowingly, before smiling " try not to get in too much trouble ".
" Do you realize who you're talking to ?. Trouble is in love with me " Sahira joked.
Karn snorted before leaving.
-
Karn had reached Magadha's borders after some time.
He was met with the sight of villagers being beaten by armed men.
" You low filthy caste !!!. How dare you revolt against our King ?!! " A man adorned in a better quality armor growled. Karn knew he was a high ranking officer at that very moment " take their women and kill them all ! ".
Karn saw red as they started begging for mercy.
He took out his bow and started to fire at them.
The soldiers were alarmed and panicking as they started dying one by one in rapid speed.
Karn ripped apart the arms of the commanding officer, making him scream in agony before crushing his head with his feet and ending him.
The villagers looked at him like a hero and began thanking him profusely.
Hours later, Karn sat and was helping heal the wounded when another hooves of horses was heard.
He saw that there were soldiers on horses...no, Nishad soldiers on horses being led by a figure who was tall with slightly tan skin and long hair.
" Mai, Hiranyadhanus putra, Eklavya hu !. Kisne itna dussahas kiya ki wo mere hote mere maharaj ke saniko ko mare. BAHAR AO AGAR SAHAS HAI !! (I am Eklavya, son of Hiranyadhanus !. Who dares to kill my King's soldiers ?!!. Come out if you have courage !) ".
" Maine kiya..... " Karn stood with folded arms and Eklavya turned to him while raising his sword.
" Who are you ?! "
" Karn " Karn simply answered.
Eklavya's eyes widened in recognition " you were the one who disarmed Arjun .... ".
" Yeah... I have trouble believing you are Eklavya... the same Eklavya who gave one of the greatest Gurudakshinas to an undeserving teacher. I am disappointed to see what you have made of your life ! " Karn scowled.
" Don't you dare insult my Gurudev !. My father is friends with King Jarasandh, and he has treated my people with more respect than anyone ! " Eklavya was furious.
" He respects you today, but will he do it tomorrow ?... I once met a dying man who had lost his only daughter to Jarasandh and he tore her to pieces after he used her. Is this the kind of man you serve ?.... " Karn questioned Eklavya.
Eklavya was horrified, as were his men and the villagers started telling him how those soldiers wanted to rape their wives and daughters.
" You are a great man, Eklavya, and your people are brave warriors and even greater people as you can choose your leaders from among yourselves... join me in helping change this society... too long have we been reigned over by Kshatriyas who drag us into their wars and ruin our livelihoods while living in the lap of luxury..... it's time that we, the so called low caste have a say in our lives ".
His words inspired not only the villagers, but the Nishad warriors and Eklavya as well,
Eklavya looked conflicted " what do you expect me to do ?!!. Dishonor my father's memory by attacking his friend ?!..... I agree with what you're saying, Karn, but I don't have the bravery to dishonor father's memory ".
" I understand, Eklavya. I love my father too. You let me do the work, I just ask you to not stop me... I can kill him "
" he is immortal " Eklavya reminded him.
" He's not " Karn said as he walked away.
-
Jarasandh shook as there was a momentary Earthquake in his palace and an arrow hit the base of his throne.
There was a letter attached to it and when he read it, he was enraged.
He went outside his Kingdom with his sons and army as he stared at the man with a bow over his shoulder.
" You !. You dared to challenge me ?!! " Jarasandh demanded.
" I did " he had a glow to him like that of Suryadev and he was not dressed like a kshatriya as he only had a white Dhoti armor on.
" You will pay for this, you insolent ! " Jarasandh removed his ornaments and wore only his dhoti while Karn did the same.
Jarasandh came at Karn who punched him and sent him to the ground.
Jarasandh spat out his bloodied teeth and came at Karn who caught his hands and they both began pushing against each other.
Jarasandh was shocked to find himself being pushed back by Karn until he headbutted him with a roar and his nose was broken.
Jarasandh tried to catch his leg but Karn kicked him in the face. Karn gave him no quarter and started pounding him before he snapped his arms and tore a screaming Jarasandh in 2 throwing his body too far for it to merge again and killing him for good.
Everyone was horrified at the brutality of Karn.
Karn turned to a shocked and horrified Prince Sahadeva and said " the only reason I'm not killing you is because you're innocent... now here's what you will do for .... ".
-
Magadha was free from Jarasandh and was under the kind hands of Sahadeva, but the change in its laws shocked everyone.
The citizens were taxed far less and had more rights. They were given the right to speak and had the right to vote against laws that would harm them, soldiers were given pension to their families if they were to die, while Mathura was freed and returned to the Yadavas. Karn made the threat to return and kill the King if he harmed his subjects or tried to take their rights.
" I am going home to the far North where my people live. We make our own decisions and everyone has a say in how things are run. Education is also free. You can come with me if you want " Karn said to the villagers he had saved and Eklavya who stood nearby.
Eklavya had developed a healthy dose of respect for Karn and was the first to follow him along with his villagers and warriors. The villagers of Magadha were grateful to Karn for their help and wanted to go where he was going. More villages nearby followed Karn as they did not trust Sahadeva due to Jarasandh inflictiing heavy trauma on them.
And that was not all, news of the happenings at Magadha spread to the different corners of Aryavarta, especially Hastinapur. The suta citizens remembered Karn and cared for him, and after seeing everything he was doing, coupled with the cruel treatment of upper castes, influenced the decision of many to leave Hastinapur.
-
Sahira whistled as she saw the influx of people coming in, and they were guided to places they could build their homes " damn.... you work fast, Karn..... how many people is it again ? ".
" 50,000 " Karn said and Sahira's mouth fell open in shock.
" We got a lot of work to do " Sahira said with a smile