Chapter 5: Blessing of the River Goddess
The golden light surrounding the child slowly dimmed as the river calmed once more. Ganga held Karna close, her eyes filled with quiet wonder. Never before had she felt such warmth radiating from an infant — it was like holding the sun itself.
"This aura... even for one touched by divinity, it feels so ancient…" she murmured, brushing her fingers against the baby's cheek. His tiny hand clutched her thumb, and for the briefest moment, her heart softened completely.
"You poor soul, abandoned yet blessed… who would dare cast away one born with such purity?"
She glanced up at the heavens as if questioning fate itself. But even she — the sacred river goddess — could not see the threads that wound around this child. The strands of destiny that bound him were hidden from her divine perception.
Karna blinked at her, his golden eyes faintly glowing. Deep within, the Destiny System stirred once again.
[Destiny System Notification] Divine entity detected: Ganga (Celestial Level).External blessing probability: 92%.System preparing to absorb compatible divine essence.
Unaware of the process, Ganga gently placed her hand on his forehead, her expression full of affection. "May the river always guide your path, little one. May you never drown in sorrow or be swept away by fate's cruelty."
Her words carried no grand command, no cosmic intent — only heartfelt care. Yet, the moment she spoke, the waters shimmered around them, rippling like mirrors of divine light.
[System Alert] External energy recognized: Pure Blessing (Ganga's Grace).Converting essence into compatible skill...Processing complete.[Host acquires skill: Celestial Insight – Can perceive future probability threads and read hidden intentions.] Destiny Points +15 DP.
The baby's golden eyes widened slightly. To Ganga, it seemed like he smiled — a faint, peaceful smile that reflected the river's glow. But within his mind, Karna could suddenly sense faint flickers — like light trails — weaving around her, around the river, around the very air.
"Threads… of fate?" he thought faintly, though words were still beyond him.
The system's voice resonated softly within:
[Celestial Insight active. Probability perception: low-range mode enabled.][External intent analysis: benevolent. Threat level: null.]
He didn't understand much, only that the goddess meant him no harm — that she truly wanted to protect him. His tiny hand reached up, brushing her chin, and she smiled softly.
"You really are something special, aren't you?" she whispered. "If only I could keep you… but your path lies elsewhere."
The river goddess sighed, gazing into the horizon. "May your destiny guide you to the right hands, little one. I can only bless, not decide."
The waters began to glow beneath them, forming a cradle of shimmering light. She gently placed Karna back into the basket, her touch lingering on his forehead.
"Go now, child of the Sun," she said softly. "May your journey never be forgotten."
The basket began to drift again, guided not by current, but by unseen divine will.
Karna felt warmth linger within him — the first genuine blessing of his new life. As the basket floated under the fading sunlight, he fell asleep with calm in his heart.
Somewhere in the heavens, the faint sound of divine laughter echoed — perhaps a god had noticed. But for now, the river carried him onward, toward his mortal fate and the destiny that awaited him.