Chapter No.10 Milestones Achieved!

[Aditya's POV]

I Won!

[Ding! A milestone achieved: Defeat Arjuna and Claim Gandiva Dhanush.]

[Rewards: 10 Fate Points]

But before I could fully process the enormity of milestones and rewards in my head, the atmosphere shifted.

"Give my brother's bow back!" Bhima charged at me with an expression of rage and disbelief etched across his face. The massive warrior, Arjuna's elder brother, thundered toward me, muscles rippling beneath his attire, his fists clenched in fury.

"Bhrata(Brother) Bhima, wait!" Arjuna shouted, stepping in front of him. "It's not what you think! Gandiva has chosen Aditya!"

But this brute was having none of it, he pulled his right hand back and swung at me, his fist like a hammer aimed to crush.

Rage.

Raw, unrestrained anger flowed through my veins at this act. Is this so-called Kshatriya Dharma? Attacking someone without honour, without any warning? Bhima seemed lost in the concept of fair combat as he charged at me like a beast blinded by rage. His actions were a disgrace to the warrior code he was supposed to uphold.

I felt the primal anger surge through me, and the power of Apollo resonated within my core. My grip tightened around the Gandiva Dhanush, and I made a snap decision—I released the bow, letting it float safely out of harm's way. This wasn't the time to rely on divine weaponry; this was a clash of pure might and resolve.

Bhima's fist came down with the force of a landslide, and I met it head-on with my own. The impact was like two storms colliding, and the ground beneath us cracked under the pressure. I refused to give ground, planting my feet firmly, my muscles straining as I absorbed the brunt of his attack.

"You dare to call yourself a warrior?" I growled, my voice low and filled with disdain. "If this is how you fight, then let me show you the true meaning of strength!"

His eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by my defiance and the contempt in my tone. Before he could react, I drew upon the full power of Apollo's light, feeling its warmth fill every fibre of my being. My fist ignited in golden flames, and I launched a counterattack with a ferocity that mirrored his own.

"Divine Impact!" I roared, channelling the concentrated energy into a devastating blow aimed straight at his chest.

The strike landed with explosive force, a shockwave rippling through the arena as Bhima was hurled backwards, skidding across the ground. The sheer power of the attack left him momentarily stunned, his expression shifting from rage to astonishment.

"BHIMA, STOP THIS INSTANCE!!!" King Drupada roared, his voice cutting through the chaos like a sword. He stepped forward, his regal authority palpable, demanding silence from the frenzied crowd. The atmosphere shifted once more, the tension thick enough to slice through.

Bhima, still reeling from my attack, pushed himself to one knee, panting heavily. His fury hadn't entirely abated, but the king's presence momentarily anchored him, forcing him to reconsider his approach. I took a moment to catch my breath, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins while maintaining my stance, ready for whatever would come next.

"Attacking my son-in-law like this! This cowardly act shows your true nature as a warrior!" King Drupada continued, his voice resonating with authority. "We do not fight in anger or resentment, but with honour! What have you done, Bhima?"

The crowd murmured among themselves, the earlier fervour now replaced with a mix of confusion and concern. They watched the exchange with bated breath, knowing that the outcome of this confrontation could change everything.

Bhima glared at me, his pride wounded and anger simmering just beneath the surface. "He took my brother's bow! I will not stand idly by while he claims what is rightfully Arjuna's!"

"That bow chose him!" Arjuna interjected, stepping forward, his voice steadier than I expected. "Gandiva recognizes strength and purpose. Aditya proved himself in battle, besting me in fair combat. Do not let your rage blind you, brother."

Bhima's expression flickered, a moment of uncertainty creeping into his eyes. He opened his mouth to retort, but King Drupada seized the moment, his gaze piercing through the tension.

"Enough!" the king commanded, raising a hand to silence both warriors. "Leave my kingdom, you Pandavas are not welcome here anymore!"

"As... you wish, Maharaj Drupada!" Yudhishthira stepped forward bowing toward King Drupada, his voice steady despite the turmoil surrounding us. "We will respect your decision."

His words hung in the air, a heavyweight that resonated with every onlooker. The crowd remained silent, their expressions a mixture of shock and contemplation, as the implications of the king's command settled in.

"Come, Bhima. Arjuna," Yudhishthira urged, turning away from me and leading his brothers back, his stance calm but firm.

But Bhima was still seething, his fists clenched at his sides, and he shot me a glare filled with animosity. "This is not over," he warned his voice a low growl that echoed the promise of vengeance.

"Perhaps not," I replied, meeting his gaze without flinching, feeling the power of Gandiva Dhanush resonating at my back. "But next time, let's make it a fair fight."

With a last furious look, Bhima turned, following Yudhishthira and Arjuna as they left the arena, their departure marked by whispers of disbelief from the crowd. As they disappeared from view, I felt a strange mixture of triumph and trepidation; claiming Gandiva Dhanush was a victory, but it came at the cost of my standing with the Pandavas, and their wrath would not be easily quelled.

Before I could reflect further, King Drupada stepped forward again, his regal presence commanding attention. "Aditya, for your display of strength and valour, you truly are the best choice for my daughter. And I am deeply sorry that I couldn't step in sooner to prevent the chaos that unfolded today. You've proven yourself, and for that, I commend you."

His words were a double-edged sword. While I felt a rush of pride from the king's acknowledgement, I was acutely aware of the animosity I had just ignited with the Pandavas. The weight of my actions pressed heavily upon me, and I sensed that my journey had only just begun.

"Thank you, Maharaj Drupada," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Great, the marriage is going to be held tomorrow. Your room is being prepared as we speak, don't be shy to ask for anything you might need. And Aditya..." King Drupada paused, his gaze piercing through the remnants of tension that lingered in the air. "Be careful. The Pandavas are not ones to take such an affront lightly."

I nodded, the weight of his warning sinking in. The king turned away, his presence a stabilizing force in the aftermath of chaos, while I remained at the center of attention, the legendary Gandiva Dhanush still hovering nearby.

As the crowd began to disperse, murmurs of what had transpired echoed around me. I could feel eyes upon me—some filled with admiration, others with resentment, especially from the remaining members of the court who had witnessed the display of power.

Alone for a moment, I finally reached out to grasp Gandiva Dhanush, the weapon resonating in my hands, a symbol of my victory.

It's slick and cool, its surface shimmering with remnants of the divine power that had just acknowledged me as its new master. I took a deep breath, trying to ground myself in the present as the adrenaline began to wear off.

The arena was slowly emptying, but I remained standing there, the weight of what I had just accomplished sinking in. I had defeated Arjuna, the greatest archer of his time, and claimed his legendary bow.

"Prince Aditya!" A voice broke through my thoughts, drawing my attention. It was Karna, who didn't leave even when everyone else had departed. His presence was imposing yet calm, the golden armour gleaming under the fading sunlight.

"Congratulations on your victory," he said, a genuine smile breaking through his usually stoic demeanour. "Few can say they've bested Arjuna! but never this overwhelmingly, Watching your display of power was an eye-opener, to say the least. You've caught the attention of not just the court but the entire Kuru dynasty."

His tone was warm, but there was an undercurrent of something else—a hint of a challenge perhaps? Karna had always walked a fine line between admiration and rivalry.

"Thanks, Angraj Karna. I really appreciate such a compliment coming from a great archer such as you yourself, especially after witnessing how skilled Arjuna is. I'm just glad it didn't escalate further," I replied, trying to match his easygoing demeanour.

Karna stepped closer, the tension that had filled the arena still lingering in the air. "You did what needed to be done, Aditya. In this world, strength often speaks louder than words. The Pandavas will be reeling from this defeat, but it's your actions that will define your path forward."

I nodded, absorbing his words. They rang true, but I couldn't shake the sense of unease growing within me.

"You too want to challenge me to a battle, right?" I asked with a smile on my face, trying to lighten the atmosphere despite the weight of the situation.

Karna chuckled, a deep rumble of genuine amusement. "Not yet, my friend. For now, I'm curious to see how you navigate the challenges ahead. You've made quite the name for yourself today, and I'm eager to witness your journey. But rest assured, our time for a duel will come; I will challenge you when the time is right."

His words hung in the air like an unspoken promise, the tension between us shifting from rivalry to mutual respect. It was refreshing, a break from the chaos and anger that had just transpired.

"Just remember," he continued, his tone turning serious, "the path you walk is fraught with danger, and the title you now bear—the wielder of Gandiva Dhanush—will draw both allies and enemies alike. Be prepared to face both the consequences of your victory and the responsibilities that come with it."

I nodded, absorbing the wisdom in his words. "I understand, Karna. I appreciate your counsel. The road ahead won't be easy, But I won't flatter."

Karna smiled, a hint of admiration shining in his eyes. "You're wise beyond your years, Aditya. I look forward to seeing how you grow into this role. Just remember, no one accomplishes great things alone. Choose your allies wisely."

With that, he turned to leave, his presence lingering in the air like the warmth of a fading sun. I watched him go, feeling the enormity of my situation sink in. The crowd had mostly dispersed, leaving only a few onlookers lingering at the edges of the arena.

Suddenly, I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve. I turned to find Draupadi standing there, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Prince Aditya, may I speak with you?"

.

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[To Be Continue]

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