Chapter 6: The Chosen Parents
The river glimmered softly under the moonlight as it flowed toward the outskirts of the city of Anga. The golden basket drifted steadily along its path, as though guided by an unseen will.
Along the banks, a humble couple — Adhiratha, the royal charioteer of Anga, and his wife Radha — were returning from their evening prayers at the shrine.
"Adhiratha," Radha murmured, glancing toward the river, "I hear… crying."
He paused, listening. The gentle sound of water was joined by a faint, sorrowful wail — fragile but filled with life.
They hurried to the riverbank, where the shimmering basket floated toward them, glowing faintly as if guided by invisible hands. The basket drifted closer, stopping right before Radha's feet.
She knelt immediately, hands trembling. "A baby! Adhiratha, look at him… he's so beautiful."
Adhiratha crouched beside her, equally astonished. "By the gods… who would send a child down the river?"
Before they could touch the basket, the water rippled. From its surface rose a radiant, graceful figure — Goddess Ganga, her presence serene yet commanding. The moonlight bent around her form as if honoring her divinity.
The couple fell to their knees."Devi Ganga," Adhiratha said, voice trembling. "Forgive us if we've trespassed upon your sacred flow."
The goddess gazed at them quietly, her eyes reflecting both compassion and scrutiny."Mortals… this child is not ordinary," she said softly. "His path will shake the heavens themselves. Do you still wish to claim him as your own?"
Radha's voice was steady despite her tears. "Devi, I do not see destiny or divinity — I see only a helpless child. If the world forsakes him, then let me be his world."
Adhiratha bowed low. "If this child brings divine burdens or blessings, we will bear both. He will be our son, not out of duty, but out of love."
Ganga watched in silence. She did not test them through illusions or words. Instead, the air itself seemed to shift — a faint whisper of divine energy brushing across their hearts.
A gust of wind rustled the trees. The ground shimmered faintly with divine light. Ganga could see into their hearts, and what she found there was pure — no greed, no hesitation, only sincere love and unwavering resolve.
"They speak truth," she thought. "Their love is selfless. Perhaps… this is what fate intended."
The basket glowed brighter, and Karna stirred within it, his tiny hand reaching out. Ganga smiled faintly. "He recognizes you already," she said softly.
Raising her hand toward the heavens, she spoke with reverence. "O Surya, Lord of Light — as per your divine promise, I have found worthy mortals. Shall I grant them guardianship of your son?"
A warm golden light descended from above, enveloping the river. A deep, calm voice echoed faintly — Lord Surya's blessing carried through the air.
"So be it. Let them raise him with love. The warmth of the sun shall protect their home."
Ganga nodded solemnly and turned to Radha and Adhiratha. "From this day, he is yours — not found by chance, but chosen by the will of heaven. Raise him well."
With gentle grace, she lifted Karna and placed him into Radha's arms. The moment his skin touched hers, a faint divine warmth filled the air — not burning, but soothing.
Karna opened his golden eyes and gazed at his new parents. He didn't understand the words, but his soul did. The connection was instant.
Radha wept softly, holding him close. "I don't care who he was born from," she whispered. "He is my son."
Adhiratha smiled, his hand resting over the child. "Then let's take him home, Radha. Our family is complete."
Ganga watched in silence, her expression softening. She whispered, "May destiny be kind to you, little one. And may their love shield you when fate turns cruel."
The goddess slowly dissolved back into the river, her form blending with the shimmering current. The water resumed its calm flow, carrying only the faintest echo of divine presence.
As the couple walked home, the golden light dimmed, and the night fell peaceful once again.
[DESTINY SYSTEM NOTIFICATION] New mortal bond detected: Radha (Mother), Adhiratha (Father).Analyzing emotional resonance...Result: Genuine affection and unshakable devotion.Destiny Points +15 DP.System Log Updated: "Host has entered stable mortal environment. Divine interference level decreased."Fate Thread Adjustment: Mortal Path Anchored.
Karna's consciousness flickered faintly as the system's voice faded. The warmth of Radha's embrace was unlike any divine blessing — it was gentle, human, real.
For the first time since his birth, he felt peace not from power, but from love.He drifted into sleep, tiny fingers clutching Radha's garment as the system hummed softly within him.
[Destiny Stabilized. Future probability threads shifting favorably.][Observation Mode: Active.]
The river outside whispered in harmony, carrying the last trace of divine energy away into the night.
[STATUS WINDOW UPDATED]
[KARNA – STATUS]
[Name:] Karna
[Title:] Suryaputra (Hidden), Child of Destiny
[Current Rank:] Infant Stage (Divine Vessel – Unranked)
[Destiny Points:] 30 DP
[Destiny System Functions:]Status Window, Destiny Roulette, Destiny Shop, Destiny Advice, Fate Rewrite (Unlockable at Maharathi Rank)
[Sole Weapon:] Kavach and Kundal (Bound Divine Artifact)
[Skills:]Basic Speech Understanding (Lv 1), Mental Resilience (Lv 1), Observation (Lv 1)
[Techniques:]None (Locked – Require Training or Destiny Unlock)
[Special Skills:]
Sun God's Blessing (Passive Lv 1) — Grants divine vitality and protection under sunlight.
Fate Breaker (Dormant) — Hidden potential to defy destiny's chains.
Celestial Insight (Active Lv 1) — Can perceive faint future probability threads and read hidden intentions.
[Astra:] None (Locked)
[Inventory:]Golden Armor (Bound), Solar Earrings (Bound), Divine Basket (Dormant – Protective function complete)