The celestial court of Devaloka gleamed with divine brilliance, the air heavy with the presence of gods. Rihan stood before Indra, King of the Gods, who loomed over him with a mix of curiosity and challenge. At Indra's side were the *Kavacha* and *Kundala*—the divine armor and earrings that Rihan needed to reclaim his destiny.
"You seek the *Kavacha* and *Kundala*, mortal," Indra intoned, his voice thunderous. "But such power is not given freely. To prove your worth, you must withstand the might of my weapon—the Vajra."
Rihan's heart pounded, but he stood his ground, clutching the *Vijayadanusu* in his hands. He could feel the weight of his past pressing down on him, the echoes of a life once lived. He knew this trial would test him like nothing before, but he was ready—or so he thought.
Indra raised his hand, and the sky darkened. Lightning crackled in the air, converging in his palm to form the fearsome Vajra, the thunderbolt of the gods. The weapon hummed with power, its brilliance nearly blinding.
"This is your first test," Indra declared. "Withstand it, and prove your strength."
With a swift motion, Indra hurled the thunderbolt at Rihan. The air sizzled as the bolt streaked toward him, a spear of pure energy aimed directly at his heart. Rihan instinctively raised the *Vijayadanusu*, chanting the mantras Parshuram had taught him. A shimmering shield of energy enveloped him just as the bolt struck.
The impact was immense. The force of the thunderbolt sent shockwaves through the celestial court, but the shield held—though barely. The energy cracked and splintered, and Rihan felt the bolt's power seeping through. His clothes were singed, his muscles trembled, but he remained standing.
Indra nodded approvingly. "Impressive. But the real test has just begun."
The god summoned another thunderbolt, this one larger and more powerful than the last. "Each strike will increase in intensity. Let us see how long you can endure."
The second bolt hurtled toward Rihan, and again he raised his shield. The impact was even stronger this time, and the ground beneath him cracked as the force of the bolt shattered the shield. The thunderbolt slammed into him, throwing him back. His shirt tore from the sheer force, and his body was left battered and bruised.
But Rihan pushed himself up, gritting his teeth. He would not fall.
Maya watched from the sidelines, her heart in her throat. She had never seen Rihan so vulnerable, yet so determined. His shirt was in tatters, revealing his muscular frame marred with scratches and burns. Despite his pain, he stood tall, ready for the next attack. Maya couldn't help but feel a mix of worry and admiration for him.
Indra observed him closely. There was respect in his eyes, but no mercy. "You've proven your resilience, Rihan. But the final strike will test more than your strength—it will test your very soul."
The third thunderbolt appeared in Indra's hand, crackling with energy so intense that the air around it warped. This was the full might of the Vajra, the weapon that could destroy worlds. Rihan felt its power even before it was hurled, and he knew this would be the greatest challenge of his life.
As Indra raised the Vajra for the final strike, something stirred deep within Rihan. A voice—familiar and powerful—echoed in his mind.
*Karna.*
In that moment, Rihan felt a surge of strength unlike anything he had ever known. Memories of battle, honor, and betrayal flooded his consciousness. He was not just Rihan anymore—he was Karna, the great warrior of the Mahabharata. His past self awakened fully, merging with his present, and he stood taller, his eyes burning with newfound resolve.
Indra hurled the final thunderbolt with all his might. The Vajra streaked toward Rihan, but this time, Rihan did not summon a shield. He stood his ground, his body glowing with a golden aura as Karna's spirit took full control. The bolt struck him, and the entire realm of Devaloka trembled from the impact.
But when the light faded, Rihan stood unscathed. The power of the Vajra had not even left a mark on him. The golden aura of Karna's presence shielded him from the attack completely. His shirt, already torn from the previous strike, fluttered away in the wind, leaving him bare-chested but utterly unharmed.
Maya gasped, her eyes wide with awe. She had witnessed Rihan withstand the full force of the thunderbolt as if it were nothing. His transformation was undeniable—the presence of Karna within him was more powerful than she could have ever imagined.
Indra stepped forward, his expression shifting from challenge to deep respect. "You are no ordinary mortal, Rihan—or should I say, Karna. You have withstood the full power of the Vajra without a scratch. You have proven yourself beyond any doubt."
He raised his hand, and the *Kavacha* and *Kundala* floated toward Rihan. The divine armor and earrings glowed with a warm light as they settled onto him, fitting perfectly as if they had always belonged to him.
"You have reclaimed what is rightfully yours," Indra said solemnly. "May these relics serve you well in the battles to come."
Rihan nodded, the fire of Karna still burning within him. As he turned to leave Devaloka, Maya walked beside him, her heart racing. She glanced at him, her cheeks flushing as she took in his powerful form, now adorned with the divine relics.
"Rihan… or should I say, Karna," she said softly. "You've changed. But no matter who you are, I'll always be here to stand by your side."
Rihan smiled, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "Thank you, Maya. I couldn't have done this without you."
As they descended from the divine realm, Rihan felt the weight of his destiny pressing down on him once more. He had reclaimed the power of his past, but the journey was far from over. The world awaited the return of Karna, and Rihan was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.