Chapter 5: The Promise of Mathura

The years passed, and the boys grew. Krishna, the darling of Gokul, continued to enthrall the village with his playful antics and miraculous feats. Vihaan, meanwhile, blossomed into a quiet but intellectually curious young man. His knowledge, gleaned from another time, marked him as different, but he carefully concealed his true origins.

He shared Krishna's secret, though. Together, they spent countless hours discussing the Bhagavatam and the Mahabharata, unraveling the complex threads of destiny that bound them to the events unfolding around them. Vihaan's insights, informed by a modern understanding of history and psychology, often surprised and intrigued Krishna.

One day, as they sat by the Yamuna, Krishna spoke of his true parents, Devaki and Vasudeva, imprisoned in Mathura by the tyrannical Kansa. He spoke of the prophecy foretelling his role in Kansa's downfall, and the inevitable confrontation that awaited them.

Vihaan listened, his heart heavy with the knowledge of the tragedies to come. He knew the stories, but hearing them from Krishna, the one who would experience them firsthand, made them achingly real.

"You must return to Mathura, Krishna," Vihaan said, his voice firm. "It is your destiny."

Krishna nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "I know," he said. "But I won't go alone. You will come with me, Vihaan."

Vihaan was taken aback. "Me?" he asked. "But I am no warrior, no hero."

"You are more than you realize, my friend," Krishna replied. "Your wisdom, your knowledge, your unwavering loyalty – these are the weapons we need to defeat Kansa."

Vihaan knew he couldn't refuse. He had been brought to this time and place for a reason, and that reason was becoming increasingly clear. He would stand by Krishna's side, not as a warrior, but as a strategist, a confidante, a friend who could offer guidance and support in the face of adversity.

The promise was made. A pact sealed under the starlit sky of Gokul, a silent vow between two souls, destined to change the course of history.