Chapter 9 – The Echoes of Destiny and the Gaze of Gods(Part I)
The golden fields around Anga shimmered under the morning sun.
Years had passed quietly since that fateful night when destiny itself had chosen a humble charioteer's home to cradle a divine secret.
Karna had grown into a bright and disciplined child — strong, thoughtful, and endlessly determined. Even at seven, he rose before dawn, his instincts drawing him toward the same ritual every morning.
The first light of day kissed the horizon as he stepped into the cool waters of the Ganga, his small form glowing faintly in the early mist. He cupped water in his hands and whispered softly:
"Om Suryaya Namah… Om Namah Shivaya…"
He then crafted a Shivling from river sand, shaping it with reverent patience. His fingers, though small, moved with purpose. Each chant carried weight — calm, rhythmic, pure.
The wind seemed to pause as he began his penance. His mind was unwavering, his heart still.
Even the waves flowed quieter around him.
[System Notification]
Host performing dual devotion: Surya & Shiva alignment detected.
Energy channels purified.
Meditative Focus skill increased to Lv 2.
Destiny Points +10 DP.
Karna opened his eyes slowly. The world around him seemed clearer, sharper. His connection to the divine deepened each day, though he still knew nothing of his celestial bloodline.
After his worship, he practiced archery in the open fields near the forest. His father Adhiratha had crafted him a proper bow of neem wood, strong yet light, with string woven from horse sinew.
"Feel the pull," Adhiratha instructed, adjusting his son's stance. "Don't fight the bow — breathe with it."
Karna nodded and drew the bow. His arms trembled slightly, but his focus did not falter.
The arrow flew — missing its mark by an inch. He exhaled, smiled faintly, and tried again.
Every morning was the same — training, correction, repetition.
His fingers grew calloused, his shoulders stronger, and his eyes sharper.
Radha often brought him food during his practice. She would sit beneath the same banyan tree, humming softly while watching her son. "He forgets to eat again," she sighed fondly. "Just like his father when he's repairing a royal chariot."
Adhiratha laughed. "He's got both our stubbornness."
[System Log]
Observation Mode Active.
Parental Support Detected — Mental Balance Enhanced.
Training Efficiency: +15%
New Skill: Endurance (Lv 1) — Physical fatigue reduced.
The days passed, and Karna's arrows soon struck true every time. But more than accuracy, what defined him was devotion. Before each shot, he bowed to his bow, his target, and the wind — honoring every force that made the arrow fly.
One morning, he tried shooting blindfolded, feeling only the wind.
The arrow struck the center with a sharp thud.
He smiled quietly.
[Skill Advancement]
Intermediate Archery (Lv 2) → Precision Archery (Lv 3)
New Subskill Unlocked: Focus Shot – Converts inner energy into enhanced accuracy.
Destiny Points +10 DP.
Adhiratha was speechless. "Radha… he learns faster than I can teach."
Radha touched his arm. "Maybe the gods guide him, Adhiratha. Some souls are born already walking the path others spend lifetimes searching for."