Aditya's infant body remained still, but his mind was aflame with questions. How could this be real? He was reborn as Karna—one of the most revered yet tragic figures in the Mahabharata.
CORE, always reliable, began its analysis.
"Aditya, based on mythology and your current identity, you are the child of Surya, the Sun God, and Princess Kunti. Your divine armor and earrings are visible. Initial scans suggest they are composed of unknown materials with advanced properties—possibly indestructible."
Aditya's thoughts swirled. He had read the Mahabharata, knew Karna's fate: scorned for his birth, cursed for his generosity, and defeated despite his greatness. Could he escape that destiny?
"CORE," he whispered internally, "can I change how this story ends?"
"Change is possible but will require calculated interventions," CORE replied. "Understanding your current situation is the first step. I will continue monitoring and assisting you."
---
The chatter of the villagers brought Aditya back to the present. He lay in a woven cradle, the stars above casting a warm glow. Around him were villagers dressed humbly, their faces marked with respect for the infant before them.
A woman approached, her presence exuding warmth. Aditya's infant mind registered her as Radha, the wife of Adhiratha, the village charioteer.
"We are truly blessed," she murmured, gazing at him. Her fingers brushed his cheek. "The gods have given us this child. He will be loved as our own."
Adhiratha, her husband, knelt beside her. His calloused hands trembled as he held the baby for the first time. "Radha, look at him... the armor, the earrings. This is no ordinary child."
"Then we will name him accordingly," Radha said softly. "Karna—the radiant one."
---
As the days turned into weeks, Aditya's awareness grew sharper. Though trapped in the body of an infant, his modern intellect and CORE's guidance allowed him to comprehend the world around him with astonishing clarity.
"CORE," he thought one night, "analyze the sociopolitical structure. Where am I exactly?"
"We are in a rural region of Hastinapura, a powerful kingdom ruled by King Dhritarashtra," CORE explained. "This appears to align with the timeline before the events of the Mahabharata. You are currently unknown to the wider world, raised in secrecy by your foster parents, Adhiratha and Radha."
Aditya's infant lips almost curved into a smirk. Raised in secrecy—just like the original Karna. But this time, things would be different. He had knowledge far beyond this era and a plan to wield it.
---
One day, as Karna crawled near a small stream, he saw his reflection for the first time. The sunlight glinted off his golden armor and earrings. They weren't just decorations—they were his divine inheritance.
"Aditya," CORE's voice interrupted, "these items appear to offer protection and possibly other abilities. I recommend further testing when your physical capabilities develop."
Karna stared at his reflection, his infant face filled with determination. He wouldn't be bound by fate. This world didn't know what was coming.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, his heart burned with an unshakable resolve. He was no longer just Karna, the tragic son of the Sun God—he was Aditya Singh, armed with the power of the future.
To be continued...