They saw several people standing near the entrance.
One of them stepped forward and greeted them.
"We are responsible for escorting you inside the palace."
He wore simple attire, his posture calm and his smile warm, meant to make the guest feel welcomed.
He looked like a servant, but there was discipline in the way he carried himself.
The servants began walking ahead. Arjun and Subha followed.
With every step inside,Arjun noticed engravings carved into the walls — symbols of astras, flowing scripts that described the history of Dwarka.
Golden statues stood at regular intervals, each one representing a king who had once ruled Dwarka.
The palace didn't feel luxurious.
It felt historic — as if it existed to preserve memory rather than wealth.
They were finally led into a vast hall and were told that the king would meet them after some time.
The servants left.The hall became silent, and only the sound of flowing water could be heard.
At the centre of the hall stood a massive statue of Lord Krishna.
Smaller carvings surrounded it — flutes, peacock feathers, sacred symbols — all crafted with reverence.
It felt like a place meant for waiting, not impatience.
Arjun sat down slowly.
The events of the day pressed heavily on his mind — especially the mysterious man he had seen yesterday.
That presence lingered in his brain, refusing to fade.
He replayed the moment again and again — the man telling him to become strong, wondering if the method he had decided on would work or not.
Last time, when he had heard that voice, he devoted himself to archery.But this time, he decided—
No more techniques.No more depending on astras.I will focus on my physical body,
He understood.
If he wanted to survive what lay ahead, he needed to harden his body — relentlessly.
A presence entered the hall.
Arjun looked up.
The man was young and handsome, carrying a royal demeanour effortlessly rather than forcefully.
"I am the first prince of Dwarka,"
He said calmly.
"Viraj Dwarak."
His gaze briefly shifted toward Subha — measuring, curious — but Arjun stepped forward before she could respond.
He had noticed Viraj's gaze toward Subha, and Subha signalled that she didn't want to talk and only wanted to sit quietly.
"I'm Arjun," he said. "I currently possess the Sudarshan Chakra."
Viraj's eyebrow rose for just a moment before settling back into neutrality.
"So you're the one," he said.
"Then let's spar."
Subha stiffened,realising that her quiet moment had been interrupted, nevertheless.
"I want to see,"
Viraj continued,
"whether you're capable of keeping that astra safe."
Arjun answered without hesitation.
"Why not?"
Viraj was shocked by his sudden acceptance.
He said,
"Follow me."
As they walked, Subha leaned closer and complained,
"Since when did you become this impulsive?"
Arjun frowned.
He hadn't realised it himself.
"You've just recovered," she said quietly. "Your body—"
"I'll be fine,"
Arjun replied, though he wasn't entirely sure why he believed it.
They descended underground.
The sight stole Arjun's breath.
Thick glass walls held back vast bodies of water on all sides.
The chamber had been built within the sea itself, reinforced by layers of glass and Shakti. Pressure hummed faintly through the air.
Viraj stopped.
There's the whole plain ground there.
It seems it is used for the training of princes and yodhas.
There were also some yodha there.
But Viraj signalled them to go away from there.
"We can go all out here. These walls won't break." He said
and at the instant,
He vanished.
A sharp burst of Vega pushed him backwards, opening distance instantly.
A dhanush appeared in Arjun's hand.
Fast,
Arjun noted.
Same footing,
he realised.
He pulled the string.
An arrow formed — fire condensed, stable, controlled.
Viraj's eyes widened for a fraction of a second.
"A Purn Shakti user—" he muttered, then corrected himself.
"No… an astra for controlling elements."
It was Arjun's Dhatu-astra.
The arrow flew.
Mid-air, it split — two, four, eight — rushing forward towards him.
Viraj slammed his palm into the ground.
"Shakti Barrier."
A thick translucent wall formed.
The arrows struck together, exploding with heat.
Arjun didn't stop.
He fired again — then activated Vega.
He closed the distance.
Arjun punched the barrier.
It shattered—
—but Viraj's fist slammed into Arjun's ribs at the same moment.
Arjun was sent flying.
He hit the ground hard, breath ripped from his lungs.
Pain surged.
Then exhaustion followed.
My Shakti…?
It felt halved.
Viraj straightened.
"This is my Varis ability," he said calmly.
"Every clean hit drains your power."
Arjun pushed himself up slowly.
Close combat is suicide.
"Do you admit defeat?"
Viraj asked.
Arjun stayed silent.
He leapt backwards, pulling the string mid-air.
Arrows poured out — dozens at once — splitting, multiplying, bending with the surrounding water.
This time arrow was of the element water.
Viraj dodged with unnatural precision, slipping between arrows as if predicting them.
Then he closed the gap again as he saw an opening.
His punch landed again
Arjun staggered — but a water-shaped arrow grazed Viraj's thigh.
Viraj laughed.
"You shouldn't have any Shakti left. Push further, and you'll damage your brain."
Arjun dropped to one knee, breathing unevenly.
Subha took a step forward.
"Arjun—!"
He smirked.
"Astra Storm."
Viraj froze.
The arrows Arjun had fired earlier were still there — suspended, circling, accelerating.
At his command, they rushed inward from every direction.
Viraj raised his hand.
"Barrier—"
Too slow.
An arrow pierced through his arm.
He collapsed to one knee.
The remaining arrows surged forward—
—and instantly collapsed back into water.
Silence.
Arjun's eyes widened.
I almost killed him.
"Enough,"
Viraj said, breathing heavily.
"I admit it."
There was no arrogance left.
"You're stronger."
Subha moved immediately, kneeling beside him.
She crushed a herb, chanted softly, and sealed the wound.
The water arrow vanished completely.
Viraj stared.
"A healing astra?"
Arjun stepped closer.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"I lost control."
Then he frowned."But who stopped the arrows that almost hit you?
I realised a bit late and only stopped the ones that were going to hit you. The one at a closer distance vanished."
Viraj opened his mouth—
A heavy voice echoed through the chamber.
The pressure alone forced all of them to freeze.