The morning after the revelation came with a headache that felt like someone had driven a spike through Arjun's skull. He lay in the small room Marcus had arranged for him in Millbrook's Seeker's Lodge, staring at the ceiling beams and trying to reconcile two lifetimes of memory.
Karna. The name sat in his mind like a stone in still water, sending ripples through everything he thought he knew about himself.
He remembered dying—not once, but twice. The first time as Karna, betrayed by fate and circumstance, his chariot wheel stuck in the mud while Arjuna's arrow found his throat. The second time as Tanaka Hiroshi, crushed by a truck while saving a child, his last thought a bitter laugh at the irony of dying heroically after a lifetime of mediocrity.
And now he was Arjun. The name his new parents had given him, unknowing of the cosmic joke they were playing. Named after the man who had killed him.
"Fuck," he muttered to the empty room.
A knock at the door interrupted his spiral. "You alive in there?" Maya's voice, muffled by wood.
"Debatable," Arjun called back. He sat up, wincing as the movement sent fresh waves of pain through his head. "Come in."
Maya entered carrying a tray with bread, cheese, and what looked like willow bark tea. She set it on the small table by the window, then turned to study him with those unsettling eyes that saw too much.
"You look like shit," she said bluntly.
"Thanks. You're a real comfort."
"I'm not here to comfort you." She pulled up the room's only chair and sat, crossing her legs. "I'm here to make sure you're not about to do something stupid."
Arjun reached for the tea, grateful for something to do with his hands. "Define stupid."
"Running off to find Arjuna and challenge him to a duel. Trying to access powers you don't understand and burning yourself out. Deciding this is all too much and attempting to flee to the edge of the world." Maya ticked off options on her fingers. "Should I continue?"
"I get the point." He sipped the tea. It was bitter, but the pain in his head began to recede. "I'm not going to do any of those things."
"Good. Because we need you functional." Maya leaned back, her expression softening slightly. "How much do you remember? Of before, I mean."
Arjun considered the question. The memories were there, but they felt distant, like watching a play about someone else's life. "Enough. I remember the war. The curses. The promises I made and broke." He met her eyes. "I remember dying alone, abandoned by everyone I'd tried to protect."
"And?"
"And I meant what I said last night. I'm not making the same mistakes." He set down the tea cup with more force than necessary. "Karna's problem was that he was too loyal to the wrong people. He knew Duryodhana was in the wrong, but he supported him anyway out of gratitude and pride. He let his sense of honor become a chain."
Maya nodded slowly. "So what are you going to do differently?"
"I'm going to be honest. Blunt, even. If I think someone's making a mistake, I'll tell them." Arjun stood and moved to the window, looking out over Millbrook's morning streets. "And I'm not going to let loyalty blind me to what's right. Karna died because he couldn't betray Duryodhana, even when he should have. I won't make that mistake."
"That's going to make you enemies."
"Probably." He turned back to face her. "But I'd rather have enemies who know where I stand than allies who think I'll follow them blindly."
A smile tugged at Maya's lips. "Elias is going to hate you."
"Elias already hates me."
"Fair point." She stood, moving to join him at the window. "For what it's worth, I think you're right. The old patterns... they're not working. The reincarnations keep playing out the same conflicts, making the same mistakes. Maybe someone who remembers but refuses to repeat is exactly what we need."
They stood in silence for a moment, watching the town wake up. Then Maya spoke again, her voice quieter. "I should tell you something. About Elias."
Arjun waited.
"He's not just a Seeker. He's... he was Odysseus. In his first life." Maya's fingers drummed against the windowsill. "He remembers everything. Every trick, every lie, every manipulation he used to survive. And he's convinced that the only way to prevent the apocalypse is to out-think it. To be cleverer than fate itself."
"That's why he's so obsessed with information."
"Yes. But it's also why he's dangerous." Maya turned to look at Arjun directly. "Odysseus survived by being willing to do anything. Sacrifice his men, lie to gods, abandon his principles when necessary. Elias has those same instincts. He'll use you if he thinks it serves the greater good."
"And you're telling me this because?"
"Because I think you should know what you're dealing with. And because..." She hesitated, something vulnerable flickering across her face. "Because I'm tired of watching people get used. I was Cassandra, in my first life. I saw the future, told the truth, and no one believed me. I watched Troy fall because people wouldn't listen to warnings they didn't want to hear."
Arjun absorbed this. Another piece of the puzzle clicking into place. "Is that why you can manipulate time? Because you were a prophet?"
"Probably. The powers we manifest seem to be connected to our original myths. Your armor and weapons, my time manipulation, Marcus's phasing." She shrugged. "Elias can't do much physically, but he's got an almost supernatural ability to read people and situations. To find the weak points and exploit them."
"Sounds like we're collecting quite the team of broken heroes."
"We're all broken," Maya said. "The question is whether we can be broken in useful ways."
Before Arjun could respond, another knock came at the door. This time it was Marcus, looking far too energetic for the early hour.
"Good, you're both up," he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "Elias wants us in the meeting room. We've got a situation."
---
The meeting room in the Seeker's Lodge was a circular chamber with a large table at its center. Maps covered the walls, marked with pins and notes in various hands. Elias stood at the table, studying a new map that hadn't been there the night before.
"Glad you could join us," he said without looking up. "We've received word from our contacts in Thornhaven. There's been an incident."
Arjun moved closer to examine the map. Thornhaven was marked about three days' travel to the northeast, a larger town situated at the confluence of two rivers.
"What kind of incident?" Marcus asked.
"The kind that involves phase corruption spreading faster than it should, and reports of someone deliberately accelerating the process." Elias finally looked up, his gaze settling on Arjun. "Someone who matches the description of a reincarnation. Specifically, one who can control fire."
A chill ran down Arjun's spine. "You think it's—"
"Agni? Possibly. Or Surya, or any number of fire-associated figures from various mythologies." Elias tapped the map. "What matters is that they're working with The Architects. We have confirmation that corruption entities are being directed, not just appearing randomly."
"The Architects." Arjun tested the name. "You mentioned them before. Who are they?"
Elias exchanged a glance with Maya before responding. "We don't know exactly. What we do know is that they're a group of reincarnations who believe the apocalypse is inevitable—and that the best course of action is to control it rather than prevent it."
"Control the end of the world?" Arjun couldn't keep the skepticism from his voice. "That's insane."
"Is it?" Elias leaned against the table. "Think about it. The sun is dying. The phase corruption is spreading. Every attempt to stop it has failed. The Architects' position is that if the world is going to end anyway, better to manage the collapse and ensure that something—someone—survives on the other side."
"By accelerating the corruption? By killing people?"
"By making hard choices." Elias's voice was cold. "They see themselves as pragmatists. Willing to sacrifice the many to save the few."
Arjun felt anger rising in his chest, hot and familiar. It was Karna's anger, he realized—the rage of someone who had been sacrificed for someone else's greater good. "And you? What do you see them as?"
"Enemies," Elias said simply. "Because their plan requires them to control which reincarnations survive. And they've made it clear that anyone who opposes them is expendable."
Marcus cleared his throat. "So what's the plan? We go to Thornhaven and stop whoever's spreading the corruption?"
"We investigate," Elias corrected. "We gather information. We identify the reincarnation involved and determine their capabilities before engaging." He looked at each of them in turn. "This isn't like fighting phase beasts. If we're dealing with another reincarnation, especially one who's had time to develop their powers, we need to be smart."
"I'll go," Arjun said immediately.
"Obviously," Elias replied. "You're our best combat asset. But you're not going alone. Maya will accompany you for tactical support and emergency extraction. Marcus will stay here to coordinate with our other contacts and provide backup if needed."
Marcus looked like he wanted to argue, but nodded. "Makes sense. My phasing is better for defense and support anyway."
"When do we leave?" Maya asked.
"This afternoon. I'm arranging supplies and horses now." Elias rolled up the map. "In the meantime, Arjun, I need you to do something for me."
"What?"
"Try to summon your armor. Deliberately, not in response to a threat."
Arjun blinked. "Why?"
"Because if you're going up against another reincarnation, you need to be able to access your powers at will. Last night you manifested them instinctively, but instinct won't be enough." Elias's expression was unreadable. "You need control."
---
They moved to the Lodge's training yard, a packed earth square behind the main building. A few other Seekers were practicing with various weapons, but they cleared out when Elias led the group in.
"Alright," Elias said, gesturing to the center of the yard. "Show us what you can do."
Arjun stood in the middle of the space, feeling suddenly self-conscious. "I don't know how. Last night it just... happened."
"Then make it happen again." Elias crossed his arms. "Think about what triggered it. The emotion, the need, the memory."
Arjun closed his eyes, trying to recapture the feeling from the night before. He remembered the moment of recognition, the weight of his past life crashing down on him. He remembered Karna's pride, his power, his unshakeable sense of self.
Nothing happened.
"This is stupid," he muttered.
"Try harder," Elias said, unhelpfully.
"Maybe you need a threat," Marcus suggested. "Something to trigger your defensive instincts."
"I'm not going to attack him," Maya said flatly.
"I wasn't suggesting—"
"I've got it." Arjun opened his eyes. The problem wasn't that he couldn't access the power. The problem was that he was trying to be Karna, to recapture something that belonged to a different life.
But he wasn't Karna. Not anymore. He was Arjun, who had been Karna, who had been Hiroshi. All three lives, all three identities, layered on top of each other like sedimentary rock.
He didn't need to be Karna. He needed to be himself.
Arjun took a breath and reached inward, not for Karna's pride but for his own determination. For the part of him that had died saving a child, that had chosen to help Thom and Nessa despite the danger, that had fought phase beasts to protect people he barely knew.
The armor came like a sunrise, golden light spreading across his skin and solidifying into metal. It was lighter than he expected, fitting perfectly as if it had been made for his current body rather than his past one. The familiar weight of Karna's bow appeared in his hand, and he could feel the quiver of arrows at his back.
"Holy shit," Marcus breathed.
Arjun opened his eyes and looked down at himself. The armor was magnificent—golden plates etched with intricate patterns that seemed to shift in the light. But it was also different from what he remembered. Simpler in some ways, more practical. As if it had adapted to who he was now rather than who he had been.
"How does it feel?" Maya asked.
"Right," Arjun said. He moved experimentally, testing the armor's weight and flexibility. It moved with him like a second skin, not restricting his movement at all. "It feels right."
Elias circled him, studying the armor with an analytical eye. "Karna's Kavacha and Kundala. The armor and earrings that made him invulnerable. Though I notice you're not wearing the earrings."
Arjun reached up to touch his ears. Elias was right—the divine earrings that had been part of Karna's birth gift were absent. "I don't know why."
"Perhaps because you're not invulnerable," Elias mused. "The armor has manifested, but not at full power. Interesting."
"Is that a problem?"
"It's information." Elias stepped back. "Try the bow. See if you can manifest arrows."
Arjun raised the bow, drawing back the string. An arrow appeared, formed from golden light. He aimed at a training dummy across the yard and released.
The arrow flew true, striking the dummy in the center and exploding in a burst of light that left the target smoldering.
"Okay," Marcus said. "That's definitely going to be useful."
Arjun lowered the bow, feeling a mix of exhilaration and unease. The power was intoxicating, but it also felt dangerous. Like holding a weapon he didn't fully understand.
"Can you dismiss it?" Elias asked.
Arjun focused, willing the armor away. It faded like morning mist, the bow disappearing from his hand. He was left standing in his regular clothes, feeling suddenly vulnerable.
"Good," Elias said. "Practice that. You need to be able to summon and dismiss your equipment quickly. In a real fight, you won't have time to stand around concentrating."
"Anything else, sensei?" Arjun couldn't keep the sarcasm from his voice.
Elias smiled thinly. "Yes, actually. Try to manifest just the armor, without the bow. Or just the bow, without the armor. See if you can separate the components."
Arjun spent the next hour practicing, with varying degrees of success. He could summon the full set easily enough, but separating the pieces was harder. The armor and weapons seemed to want to appear together, as if they were parts of a whole rather than individual items.
By the time Elias called a halt, Arjun was sweating and exhausted despite not having done any physical exercise.
"That's enough for now," Elias said. "You've made good progress. Keep practicing on the road."
"On that note," Maya interjected, "we should probably prepare for the journey. Three days to Thornhaven means we need supplies."
"Already arranged," Elias said. "Horses, provisions, and a cover story. As far as anyone in Thornhaven knows, you're merchants investigating trade opportunities. Maya will do most of the talking."
"Why Maya?" Arjun asked.
"Because you're too honest," Elias said bluntly. "You'll give us away in the first conversation."
Arjun wanted to argue, but he couldn't. Elias was right—lying had never been his strong suit, in any of his lives.
---
They left Millbrook in the early afternoon, riding northeast on a road that wound through farmland and scattered forest. Maya rode with easy confidence, clearly experienced with horses. Arjun was less comfortable—riding had been part of Karna's skills, but those memories didn't translate perfectly to his current body.
"You look like you're about to fall off," Maya observed after the first hour.
"I'm fine," Arjun said through gritted teeth.
"You're gripping the reins too tight. Relax. The horse can tell you're nervous."
Arjun forced himself to loosen his grip. Gradually, the rhythm of riding came back to him, muscle memory from a life lived three thousand years ago asserting itself.
They rode in silence for a while, the only sounds the horses' hooves and the wind through the trees. Then Maya spoke.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Last night, when you realized who you were... you seemed angry. Not at the situation, but at Karna himself." She glanced at him. "Why?"
Arjun considered the question. "Because he was an idiot."
Maya raised an eyebrow.
"I'm serious," Arjun continued. "Karna had every reason to walk away from the Kauravas. He knew they were in the wrong. He knew the war was unjust. But he stayed anyway because Duryodhana had been kind to him when no one else was. He let gratitude override his judgment."
"Loyalty isn't a weakness."
"It is when it's blind." Arjun's hands tightened on the reins again, and he consciously relaxed them. "Karna died because he couldn't betray someone who didn't deserve his loyalty. He let himself be used, and he took thousands of people down with him."
"And you think you would have done differently?"
"I know I would have." Arjun met her eyes. "Because I'm not Karna. I have his memories, his powers, but I also have the perspective of two other lives. I've seen what blind loyalty costs. I'm not going to repeat that mistake."
Maya was quiet for a moment. Then: "You know, Cassandra's curse wasn't just that no one believed her. It was that she could see the disaster coming and was powerless to stop it. She warned everyone about the Trojan Horse, and they ignored her. She watched her entire city burn because people wouldn't listen to an inconvenient truth."
"That sounds like hell."
"It was." Maya's voice was distant. "But you know what the worst part was? She was right. About everything. And being right didn't matter because no one cared."
Arjun thought about that. "Is that why you're helping Elias? Because he listens?"
"Partly. But also because..." She trailed off, then started again. "Because I'm tired of just watching. In my first life, I could see the future but couldn't change it. In this life, I can manipulate time itself. I can actually do something. I'm not going to waste that."
"Even if it means working with someone like Elias?"
"Especially then." Maya's expression hardened. "Elias is manipulative and ruthless, but he's also effective. And right now, effectiveness matters more than likability."
"That's a dangerous philosophy."
"So is yours. Brutal honesty makes enemies."
"I'd rather have honest enemies than false friends."
Maya laughed, a genuine sound that surprised them both. "You know what? I think we're going to get along just fine."
---
They made camp that night in a clearing off the main road. Maya proved to be efficient at setting up, and soon they had a small fire going and were eating travel rations.
"Tell me about The Architects," Arjun said as they ate. "Elias gave me the overview, but I want details."
Maya poked at the fire with a stick. "What do you want to know?"
"Everything. Who they are, what they want, why they think accelerating the apocalypse is a good idea."
"That's a long conversation."
"We've got time."
Maya sighed. "Alright. The Architects are a coalition of reincarnations who believe that the current world is doomed. The dying sun, the phase corruption, the breakdown of reality itself—they see it as inevitable. Their solution is to manage the collapse and ensure that something survives on the other side."
"By killing people?"
"By making sacrifices they see as necessary." Maya's voice was carefully neutral. "They believe that trying to save everyone will result in everyone dying. So they're working to identify and preserve what they consider essential—certain reincarnations, certain knowledge, certain resources."
"And everyone else?"
"Expendable."
Arjun felt his anger rising again. "That's monstrous."
"Is it?" Maya looked at him across the fire. "If you knew for certain that the world was ending, and you could only save a hundred people out of a million, would you try to save everyone and fail, or would you choose the hundred?"
"I'd find a third option."
"That's not always possible."
"Then I'd die trying." Arjun's voice was firm. "I'm not going to play god and decide who deserves to live."
"Even if refusing to choose means everyone dies?"
"Even then." He met her eyes. "Because the moment you start deciding who's expendable, you've already lost. You've become the thing you're trying to prevent."
Maya studied him for a long moment. "You really believe that."
"Yes."
"Then you're going to have a problem with The Architects. Because they've already made their choice. And they're not going to let anyone interfere."
"Who are they?" Arjun asked. "Specifically. You must know some of them."
"We know of a few. There's Prometheus—or someone who claims to be his reincarnation. He's their leader, or at least their spokesperson. He's the one who articulated their philosophy." Maya's expression darkened. "Then there's Kali. The destroyer goddess. She's... terrifying. Completely committed to the idea that destruction is necessary for rebirth."
"Anyone else?"
"Loki. Or someone with his memories. He's their infiltrator, their spy. We think he's been posing as various people, gathering information and sabotaging opposition efforts." She paused. "And there are others we suspect but can't confirm. The fire-user in Thornhaven might be one of them."
Arjun absorbed this. "What about the other side? Who's opposing them?"
"That's more complicated. There's no unified opposition. Elias is trying to build a network of Seekers and allied reincarnations, but it's slow going. A lot of reincarnations don't want to get involved. They're trying to live quiet lives, hoping the apocalypse will somehow miss them."
"That's not going to work."
"No," Maya agreed. "It's not. But you can't force people to fight."
They sat in silence for a while, watching the fire. Then Arjun spoke again.
"You said you were Cassandra. Does that mean you can see the future?"
"Not exactly. I can see... possibilities. Branches of time, potential outcomes." Maya's fingers traced patterns in the dirt. "It's not like having a vision of what will happen. It's more like seeing a thousand different things that might happen, all at once."
"That sounds overwhelming."
"It is. That's why I don't do it often." She looked up at him. "But I looked at you. Last night, after you manifested your armor. I wanted to see what kind of futures you might create."
Arjun's stomach tightened. "And?"
"And I saw chaos. Dozens of different paths, all branching and splitting. In some, you're a hero. In others, you're a disaster. In a few..." She trailed off.
"In a few what?"
"In a few, you're the one who ends the world." Maya's voice was quiet. "Not intentionally. But your choices, your actions, they cascade. They create ripples that become waves."
Arjun felt cold despite the fire. "Are you saying I should—"
"I'm not saying anything," Maya interrupted. "Because here's the thing about the future: it's not fixed. Every choice changes it. The futures I saw last night are already different because we're having this conversation. Because you know they exist."
"Then why tell me?"
"Because you should know what's at stake. Because you need to understand that your actions matter." She met his eyes. "You said you're not going to make Karna's mistakes. Good. But that means you need to be aware of what mistakes you might make instead."
Arjun didn't sleep well that night.
---
They reached Thornhaven on the afternoon of the third day. The town was larger than Millbrook, built where two rivers met to form a natural harbor. Boats lined the docks, and the streets were busy with merchants and travelers.
"Remember," Maya said as they rode through the gates, "we're merchants. You're my assistant. Let me do the talking."
"I know," Arjun said, trying not to sound irritated.
They found an inn near the town center and secured rooms. The innkeeper, a heavyset woman with sharp eyes, gave them a professional smile.
"Welcome to Thornhaven. Here for trade?"
"Exploring opportunities," Maya said smoothly. "We've heard good things about your textile market."
"Ah, you'll want to talk to the Weavers' Guild then. They're down by the east dock." The innkeeper's smile faltered slightly. "Though I should warn you, things have been... unsettled lately."
"Oh?" Maya's tone was perfectly calibrated between concerned and curious.
"Strange happenings. Fires breaking out with no clear cause. And the phase corruption has been worse than usual." The innkeeper lowered her voice. "Some folks are saying it's a curse. Others say it's the end times."
"How alarming," Maya said. "We'll be careful."
They settled into their rooms, then met in Maya's to plan their next move.
"Fires with no clear cause," Arjun said. "That fits with a fire-user."
"Yes, but we need more information before we act." Maya pulled out a small notebook. "I'll visit the Weavers' Guild and ask around. You should check out the areas where the fires occurred. See if you can sense any phase corruption or residual energy."
"And if I find the fire-user?"
"Don't engage. Observe and report back." Maya's tone was firm. "We need to know what we're dealing with before we start a fight."
Arjun wanted to argue, but he knew she was right. "Fine. Where should I start?"
"The innkeeper mentioned the east dock. Start there and work your way through the affected areas." She handed him a rough map of the town. "We'll meet back here at sunset."
---
The east dock smelled of fish and river water. Arjun walked along the waterfront, trying to look like a curious merchant while actually searching for signs of corruption or unusual activity.
He found the first burn site behind a warehouse. The building's back wall was scorched, the wood blackened in a pattern that didn't match a normal fire. Arjun knelt to examine it more closely.
The burn marks radiated from a central point, as if something had exploded outward. But there was no debris, no sign of what might have caused it. Just the scorch marks and a faint smell of sulfur.
Arjun reached out with his senses, trying to feel for phase corruption the way Marcus had taught him. There was something there—a residue of energy that felt wrong. Not quite corruption, but not natural either.
"You're not from around here."
Arjun spun to find a young woman watching him from the warehouse doorway. She was tall and lean, with dark skin and hair that seemed to shimmer with an inner light. Her eyes were amber, almost golden.
"Just looking around," Arjun said, standing up. "I heard there was a fire."
"There was." The woman stepped closer, moving with a predator's grace. "Several, actually. Strange, isn't it? How they keep happening in places with no obvious source of ignition."
Arjun's hand moved instinctively toward where his bow would be if he summoned it. "You seem to know a lot about it."
"I should. I'm the one starting them." She smiled, and it was not a friendly expression. "My name is Surya. Well, that's what I'm calling myself now. In my first life, I was the sun goddess. In this one, I'm just someone trying to do what's necessary."
Arjun's mind raced. This was the fire-user, one of The Architects. And she'd just admitted to the attacks.
"Why?" he asked, stalling for time while he figured out what to do.
"Because this town is a nexus point. The phase corruption is particularly strong here, which makes it an ideal location for what we're planning." Surya's eyes glowed brighter. "We're going to open a controlled rift. Let some of the corruption through in a manageable way, rather than letting it build up until it explodes."
"That's insane. You'll kill everyone here."
"Some will die," Surya acknowledged. "But fewer than if we let the corruption build naturally. We're making a sacrifice to save the greater whole."
"You don't get to make that choice."
"Someone has to." Surya's expression hardened. "The world is ending, boy. The sun is dying—I can feel it, in my very bones. Every day it gets weaker. Every day the phase corruption spreads further. We can either manage the collapse or let it consume everything."
"There has to be another way."
"There isn't. We've looked. We've tried." Surya's hands began to glow with heat. "And we're not going to let idealists like you interfere with what needs to be done."
Arjun summoned his armor in a flash of golden light. The bow appeared in his hand, an arrow already nocked.
Surya laughed. "Karna. I should have known. The loyal fool, reborn." She raised her hands, and flames erupted around her. "Let's see if you're any smarter this time around."
She attacked with a wave of fire that turned the air itself into a weapon. Arjun dove to the side, rolling behind a stack of crates. The flames washed over his cover, reducing it to ash in seconds.
He came up firing, golden arrows streaking toward Surya. She batted them aside with walls of flame, each arrow exploding harmlessly in the air.
"You're fast," Surya called out. "But fire is faster."
She thrust her hands forward, and a lance of white-hot flame shot toward Arjun. He barely managed to dodge, feeling the heat sear past his face. His armor protected him from the worst of it, but he could feel the temperature rising.
Arjun needed to change tactics. He couldn't win a ranged battle against someone who could control fire itself. He needed to get close.
He charged, using his armor's protection to bull through a wall of flame. The heat was intense, but the golden plates held. He closed the distance to Surya and swung his bow like a staff, aiming for her head.
She blocked with a forearm wreathed in fire, and the impact sent shockwaves through both of them. They broke apart, circling each other.
"Not bad," Surya said. "But you're still thinking like a warrior. This isn't a battlefield. It's an execution."
She clapped her hands together, and the air around Arjun ignited. He was suddenly surrounded by a sphere of flame, the oxygen burning away, the heat overwhelming even his armor's protection.
Arjun dropped to one knee, gasping. He could feel his consciousness fading, the heat and lack of air taking their toll.
Then time stopped.
Or rather, it slowed to a crawl. The flames froze in place, their movement reduced to a barely perceptible flicker. Surya stood like a statue, her expression locked in concentration.
Maya appeared at Arjun's side, moving at normal speed through the frozen moment. "Come on," she said, grabbing his arm. "We need to go."
She pulled him out of the flame sphere, and time snapped back to normal. The flames collapsed inward, finding nothing to burn.
Surya spun, her eyes widening as she saw Maya. "Cassandra. I should have known you'd interfere."
"You're not opening a rift in this town," Maya said coldly. "We won't allow it."
"You can't stop us. There are more of us than you know, and we're committed to seeing this through." Surya's flames intensified. "But I'll be happy to remove two obstacles today."
She attacked again, but this time Maya was ready. She manipulated time around the flames, slowing them to a crawl while she and Arjun retreated. They ran through the dock area, Surya pursuing with relentless fury.
"We need to get out of the open," Arjun gasped, his lungs still burning from the superheated air.
"This way," Maya said, pulling him down an alley.
They emerged into a market square, crowded with afternoon shoppers. Surya appeared at the alley entrance, flames dancing around her hands.
"You're going to hide behind civilians?" she called out. "How heroic."
"We're not hiding," Arjun said. He stepped forward, placing himself between Surya and the crowd. "We're protecting them. From you."
"Then you'll die protecting them." Surya raised her hands, preparing to unleash another attack.
But before she could, a new voice cut through the tension.
"That's enough."
A man stepped out of the crowd. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with bronze skin and eyes that crackled with electricity. Lightning played across his fingertips.
"Indra," Surya said, her flames dimming slightly. "This doesn't concern you."
"It does when you're about to start a fight in the middle of a crowded market." The man—Indra—looked at Arjun and Maya. "And when one of the combatants is someone I've been looking for."
Arjun felt a chill run down his spine. Indra. The king of the gods in Hindu mythology. The father of Arjuna, the man who had killed Karna.
"You," Arjun said, his hand tightening on his bow.
Indra smiled. "Me. We need to talk, Karna. About your brother."
---
They ended up in a private room at a different inn, one that Indra apparently owned. Surya had left with a warning that this wasn't over, and Maya had reluctantly agreed to the meeting.
"Your brother?" Arjun said as soon as they were alone. "I don't have a brother."
"You do. Arjuna. My son." Indra poured wine for himself, not offering any to his guests. "He's been reborn, just like you. And he's looking for you."
Arjun's stomach dropped. "Why?"
"Because he remembers. He remembers killing you, and he wants..." Indra paused, choosing his words carefully. "He wants to make amends."
"Amends." Arjun's voice was flat. "He killed me. Shot me while I was unarmed and helpless. And now he wants to make amends?"
"He was following dharma. Following his duty as a warrior." Indra's tone was defensive. "You can't blame him for that."
"I absolutely can." Arjun stood, his anger rising. "Arjuna knew what he was doing was wrong. Krishna had to give him an entire philosophical lecture to convince him to fight. And even then, he only did it because he was told it was his duty. He didn't have the courage to refuse."
"And you did?" Indra's eyes flashed with lightning. "You fought for the Kauravas knowing they were in the wrong. You enabled Duryodhana's cruelty. Don't pretend you were innocent."
"I'm not pretending anything. I know exactly what Karna did wrong." Arjun leaned forward. "But at least he owned his choices. He didn't hide behind duty or dharma. He made his decision and lived with the consequences."
"And died with them," Indra said coldly.
"Yes. And died with them." Arjun sat back down. "So what does Arjuna want? To apologize? To fight me again? What?"
"He wants to talk. To understand why you made the choices you did." Indra's expression softened slightly. "He's been carrying the guilt of your death for three thousand years. It's eating him alive."
"Good," Arjun said, and meant it.
Maya put a hand on his arm. "Arjun—"
"No." He shook her off. "I'm not interested in making Arjuna feel better about himself. He made his choice. He can live with it."
"Even if it means making an enemy of one of the most powerful reincarnations alive?" Indra's voice was quiet but dangerous. "Arjuna has fully awakened his powers. He can call down divine weapons, manipulate celestial energy. If he decides you're a threat, you won't survive the encounter."
"Then I'll die fighting." Arjun met Indra's eyes. "I'm not going to bow to him. Not in this life."
Indra studied him for a long moment. Then he sighed. "You're just as stubborn as you were before. Fine. I'll tell Arjuna you're not interested in reconciliation. But don't say I didn't warn you when he comes looking for you anyway."
"Wait," Maya interjected. "Before you go, tell us about The Architects. Are you working with them?"
"No." Indra's answer was immediate. "I think they're fools. The world isn't ending—it's transforming. The phase corruption, the dying sun, these are symptoms of a larger change. Fighting it or trying to control it are both mistakes."
"Then what should we be doing?" Arjun asked.
"Adapting. Learning to live with the new reality rather than clinging to the old one." Indra stood. "But that's a conversation for another time. Right now, you need to decide what you're going to do about Surya and her plan for this town."
"We're going to stop her," Maya said.
"Good luck with that. She's not working alone." Indra moved toward the door. "There are at least three other Architects in Thornhaven. If you interfere with their plan, they'll kill you."
"Let them try," Arjun said.
Indra paused at the door, looking back. "You know, Karna was always brave. Stupidly brave, some would say. I see that hasn't changed." He opened the door. "Try not to die too quickly. Arjuna would be disappointed."
Then he was gone, leaving Arjun and Maya alone.
"Well," Maya said after a moment. "That was informative."
"He's an asshole," Arjun said.
"Yes. But he's an asshole with useful information." Maya pulled out her notebook. "Three other Architects in town. That means we're outnumbered and outgunned."
"So what do we do?"
"We get help." Maya started writing. "I'll send word to Elias. He can mobilize other Seekers, maybe find some allied reincarnations willing to help. In the meantime, we need to figure out where and when they're planning to open this rift."
"And then?"
"And then we stop them." Maya looked up, her expression grim. "Whatever it takes."
---
They spent the rest of the day gathering information. Maya used her merchant cover to talk to locals and guild members, piecing together a pattern of where the fires had occurred. Arjun scouted the affected areas, looking for signs of phase corruption and trying to identify potential rift locations.
By evening, they had a theory.
"The fires are forming a pattern," Maya said, spreading a map across her bed. She'd marked each fire location with a red X. "Look. They're arranged in a circle around the town center."
Arjun studied the map. She was right—the fires formed a rough circle, with the town's main square at the center. "A ritual pattern?"
"Probably. If they're trying to open a controlled rift, they'd need to establish anchor points." Maya traced the circle with her finger. "The fires aren't just attacks. They're preparation. They're weakening the barriers between phases at specific locations."
"So the rift will open in the town square?"
"That's my guess. And if it does, it'll be catastrophic. The square is the most densely populated area in Thornhaven." Maya's expression was dark. "Hundreds of people will die in the initial opening, and thousands more as the corruption spreads."
"When?" Arjun asked. "When are they planning to do this?"
"I don't know. But it has to be soon. The pattern is almost complete—there's only one more fire location needed." She pointed to a spot on the map, a warehouse district on the north side of town. "Here. If they hit this location, the circle will be complete."
"Then we stop them there. Before they can finish the pattern."
"It's not that simple. If we stop them at that location, they'll just try again somewhere else. We need to disrupt the entire pattern, break the anchor points they've already established." Maya started making notes. "We need to hit multiple locations simultaneously."
"Which means we need more people."
"Yes. And we need them fast." Maya looked up. "How quickly can you summon your armor?"
"Instantly, now that I've practiced."
"Good. Because I think we're going to need it tonight."
---
They didn't have to wait long. Just after midnight, Maya's time-sense alerted her to movement in the warehouse district.
"They're making their move," she said, shaking Arjun awake. "Get ready."
Arjun summoned his armor as he stood, the golden plates materializing in a flash of light. His bow appeared in his hand, and he felt the familiar weight of the quiver on his back.
They moved through the dark streets quickly and quietly. Maya had sent messages to Elias and Marcus, but there was no guarantee help would arrive in time. They might be on their own.
The warehouse district was dark and empty, the buildings looming like silent giants. Maya led them to a rooftop overlooking the target location—a large warehouse that, according to her research, stored grain and other foodstuffs.
"There," she whispered, pointing.
Arjun followed her gaze and saw figures moving in the shadows below. Four of them, gathered in a circle around what looked like a ritual diagram drawn in something that glowed faintly in the darkness.
"Surya and three others," Maya murmured. "Can you identify them?"
Arjun focused, trying to make out details in the dim light. Surya was easy to spot—her hair still seemed to glow with inner fire. The others were harder to identify, but one of them was massive, easily seven feet tall with muscles like a bull. Another was thin and moved with an unsettling, jerky motion. The third was hooded, their features hidden.
"No idea," Arjun admitted. "But they're definitely reincarnations. I can feel the power coming off them."
"We need to stop them before they complete the ritual." Maya's hands began to glow with temporal energy. "I'll slow time around them. You hit them hard and fast. Try to disrupt the diagram."
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine. Just focus on stopping the ritual." She looked at him. "And Arjun? Don't die. I'd hate to have to explain that to Elias."
"I'll do my best."
Maya raised her hands, and time around the warehouse below began to slow. The four Architects moved like they were underwater, their actions sluggish and delayed.
Arjun jumped from the rooftop, using his armor's power to cushion the fall. He landed in the middle of the ritual circle and immediately fired three arrows in quick succession—one at each of the Architects except Surya.
The arrows flew true, but the massive figure simply tanked the hit, the arrow bouncing off skin that looked like stone. The thin one phased out of existence, letting the arrow pass through harmlessly. The hooded figure caught the arrow in mid-air and crushed it.
"Karna!" Surya's voice was distorted by Maya's time manipulation, but her anger was clear. "You're too late. The ritual is already—"
Arjun didn't let her finish. He fired an arrow at the ritual diagram itself, the golden projectile exploding on impact and scattering the glowing lines.
The effect was immediate. The ritual collapsed, the energy that had been building dissipating in a wave of force that knocked everyone back.
"No!" Surya screamed. She launched herself at Arjun, flames erupting around her.
But before she could reach him, time snapped back to normal speed. The other three Architects moved with sudden, shocking velocity.
The massive one—Arjun realized it must be Atlas or someone similar—charged like a bull, his stone fists swinging. Arjun dodged, but barely. The fist passed close enough that he felt the wind of its passage.
The thin one appeared behind him, moving through space in a way that suggested teleportation. Arjun spun, firing an arrow point-blank. This time it connected, punching through the figure's shoulder. They screamed and vanished again.
The hooded figure raised their hands, and the ground beneath Arjun's feet turned to mud. He sank up to his knees, his mobility suddenly compromised.
"Clever," the hooded figure said, their voice androgynous and cold. "But ultimately futile. You've delayed us, not stopped us."
Surya landed in front of Arjun, her flames so hot that the mud around him began to bake into clay. "You're going to die here, Karna. And this time, there's no Krishna to save your killer."
She raised her hands, preparing to incinerate him.
Then Maya appeared, time stuttering around her. She grabbed Arjun and pulled, and suddenly they were twenty feet away, free of the mud trap.
"Thanks," Arjun gasped.
"Don't mention it." Maya's face was strained—using her powers this much was clearly taking a toll. "We need to retreat. We can't win this fight."
"We can't let them complete the ritual."
"We already stopped it. The diagram is broken. They'll need time to set it up again." Maya pulled him toward the shadows. "We need to regroup and—"
She was cut off by a massive explosion. The warehouse behind them erupted in flames, the force of the blast throwing them both to the ground.
Arjun rolled to his feet, his armor protecting him from the worst of the impact. Maya was slower to rise, blood trickling from a cut on her forehead.
"What the hell was that?" Arjun demanded.
"A distraction," said a new voice.
Arjun turned to see a fifth figure standing on the warehouse roof. This one he recognized immediately—the trickster's grin, the mischievous eyes, the aura of chaos.
"Loki," Maya breathed.
"In the flesh. Well, in a flesh. This body isn't originally mine, but I've grown fond of it." Loki jumped down, landing with impossible grace. "You've been causing problems for us, Karna. The Architects don't appreciate interference."
"The Architects can go to hell," Arjun said.
"Oh, we're already there. We're just trying to make the best of it." Loki's grin widened. "But you... you're interesting. A reincarnation who remembers but refuses to play his part. Who rejects his own mythology. That's rare."
"What do you want?"
"To make you an offer." Loki spread his hands. "Join us. The Architects could use someone with your power and your... unique perspective. We're not the villains you think we are. We're just pragmatists."
"You're murderers."
"We're survivors. There's a difference." Loki's expression turned serious. "The world is ending, Karna. The sun is dying, the phases are collapsing, and reality itself is coming apart at the seams. The Architects are trying to ensure that something—someone—survives. Is that really so evil?"
"When it requires killing innocent people? Yes."
"Innocent." Loki laughed. "There's no such thing. Everyone is complicit in the world's death. The humans who ignored the warnings, the gods who abandoned their responsibilities, the reincarnations who refuse to act. We're all guilty."
"That doesn't give you the right to play executioner."
"Someone has to make the hard choices." Loki's eyes glowed with an eerie light. "But I can see you're not going to be reasonable. Pity. I really did hope we could work together."
He snapped his fingers, and the world went mad.
Illusions erupted around them—copies of Loki, copies of the other Architects, phantom flames and false attacks. Arjun fired arrows at the images, but they passed through harmlessly. He couldn't tell what was real and what wasn't.
"Arjun!" Maya's voice, but he couldn't see her through the chaos.
He closed his eyes, trying to shut out the visual noise. Karna had fought in wars where illusion and deception were common tactics. He knew how to deal with this.
He reached out with his other senses, feeling for the flow of energy around him. The illusions were just light and sound—they had no substance, no weight. But the real Architects did.
There. He felt Loki's presence, a knot of chaotic energy off to his left. Arjun spun and fired, not bothering to aim with his eyes.
The arrow struck true, and Loki's scream was very real. The illusions shattered, revealing the trickster clutching his side where the arrow had pierced.
"Lucky shot," Loki hissed.
"Skill," Arjun corrected. He nocked another arrow. "Leave. Now. Or the next one goes through your heart."
Loki looked at him, and for a moment, something like respect flickered in his eyes. "You know what? I believe you would." He straightened, pulling the arrow out with a wince. "But this isn't over. The ritual will be completed, with or without this location. You've bought yourself some time, nothing more."
He vanished in a swirl of shadows, and the other Architects retreated with him. Surya shot Arjun one last look of pure hatred before disappearing in a pillar of flame.
Then they were alone, standing in the ruins of the warehouse district, surrounded by fire and destruction.
"We did it," Maya said, limping over to join him. "We stopped them."
"For now," Arjun said. He dismissed his armor, suddenly feeling exhausted. "But Loki was right. They'll try again."
"Then we'll stop them again." Maya's voice was firm despite her injuries. "That's what we do."
Arjun looked at her—this woman who had been a prophet, who had watched her city burn, who had been cursed to speak truth that no one would believe. And he saw the determination in her eyes, the refusal to give up even when the odds were impossible.
"Yeah," he said. "That's what we do."
---
They made it back to their inn just as dawn was breaking. Elias was waiting for them, along with Marcus and two other Seekers Arjun didn't recognize.
"You're late," Elias said. "And you look terrible."
"We stopped the ritual," Maya reported. "But The Architects got away. They'll try again."
"I know. We've been tracking their movements." Elias gestured to the map spread across the table. "They're not just targeting Thornhaven. There are similar patterns forming in three other towns. They're planning multiple rift openings simultaneously."
"Why?" Arjun asked. "What's the point of opening multiple rifts?"
"To create a cascade effect. One rift might be containable. Four or five, all opening at once, feeding into each other?" Elias shook his head. "That would be catastrophic. It could trigger a phase collapse across the entire region."
"How many people would die?" Maya asked quietly.
"Tens of thousands. Maybe more." Elias's expression was grim. "And that's just the immediate casualties. The long-term effects could be even worse."
Arjun felt sick. "We have to stop them."
"We will. But we need a plan." Elias pointed to the map. "The other target towns are here, here, and here. We need teams at each location, ready to disrupt the rituals simultaneously. If we only stop one or two, the others might still succeed."
"Do we have enough people?" Marcus asked.
"Barely. I've called in every favor I have, contacted every allied reincarnation I know." Elias looked around the room. "We'll have teams, but they'll be small. And we'll be going up against some of the most powerful reincarnations alive."
"When?" Arjun asked.
"Three days. That's when the celestial alignment will be optimal for their ritual." Elias met his eyes. "We have three days to prepare, and then we fight."
"What do you need me to do?" Arjun asked.
"Rest. Recover. And practice." Elias's tone was firm. "You're one of our strongest fighters, but you're still learning to use your powers. I need you at full strength when the time comes."
Arjun wanted to argue, but he knew Elias was right. The fight with Surya and the others had shown him how much he still had to learn. He had power, but he lacked control and experience.
"Alright," he said. "Three days. I'll be ready."
---
The next three days were a blur of training and preparation. Elias brought in a reincarnation named Achilles—or someone who claimed to be—to spar with Arjun and help him refine his combat skills.
Achilles was everything the legends said: fast, strong, and nearly invincible. He pushed Arjun to his limits, forcing him to think creatively and use his powers in new ways.
"You're too straightforward," Achilles said after knocking Arjun on his ass for the tenth time. "You fight like a warrior, but you need to fight like a hero. There's a difference."
"What difference?" Arjun asked, picking himself up.
"A warrior follows rules. A hero makes their own." Achilles grinned. "Karna was a warrior. He followed the codes of combat, even when it cost him. You need to be willing to break those rules when necessary."
"That sounds like cheating."
"It's called adapting." Achilles offered him a hand up. "The Architects aren't going to fight fair. They're going to use every trick, every advantage they have. If you're not willing to do the same, you'll lose."
Arjun thought about that. It went against everything Karna had believed in—the importance of honor, of fighting fairly, of following dharma. But Karna had died because of those beliefs. Maybe it was time to try something different.
"Alright," he said. "Teach me."
Achilles's grin widened. "Now we're talking."
Over the next two days, Arjun learned to fight dirty. To use his environment, to create distractions, to strike when his opponent was off-balance. It felt wrong at first, like betraying something fundamental. But gradually, he began to see the wisdom in it.
Honor was important. But survival was more important. And if he was going to protect people, he needed to be willing to do whatever it took.
Maya spent the time coordinating with the other teams, using her time manipulation to communicate across distances and ensure everyone was synchronized. Marcus worked on developing new phase techniques that might help disrupt the rituals.
And Elias... Elias planned. He studied maps, analyzed patterns, and orchestrated their response with the precision of a master strategist.
On the evening of the third day, they gathered for a final briefing.
"Tomorrow, The Architects will attempt to open rifts in four locations simultaneously," Elias began. "Thornhaven, Riverdale, Oakmont, and Stonehaven. We have teams positioned at each location, ready to disrupt the rituals."
He pointed to the map. "Arjun and Maya will take Thornhaven. Marcus will lead the team at Riverdale. Achilles will handle Oakmont. And I'll coordinate from Stonehaven."
"What about backup?" Maya asked. "If one team gets overwhelmed?"
"We'll have runners positioned between locations. If you need help, send word and we'll redirect resources." Elias's expression was serious. "But understand: we're spread thin. If things go wrong, you may be on your own."
"Comforting," Arjun muttered.
"I'm not here to comfort you. I'm here to give you the truth." Elias looked at each of them in turn. "This is going to be the most dangerous thing any of us have ever done. Some of us might not survive. But if we don't stop The Architects tomorrow, thousands of people will die. Maybe tens of thousands."
"No pressure," Marcus said, but his attempt at humor fell flat.
"Get some rest," Elias said. "We move at dawn."
---
Arjun couldn't sleep. He lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking about what was coming. Tomorrow, he would face The Architects again. Tomorrow, people would die—maybe including him.
He thought about his three lives. Karna, who had died with honor but alone. Hiroshi, who had died saving a child but accomplished nothing else. And now Arjun, who had a chance to actually make a difference.
A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," he called.
Maya entered, looking as sleepless as he felt. "Can't rest either?"
"No."
She sat on the edge of his bed. "I looked at the futures again. At what might happen tomorrow."
"And?"
"And I saw a lot of death. In some timelines, we succeed but lose half our people. In others, we fail completely and the rifts open." She paused. "In a few, you die."
Arjun absorbed this. "How do I die?"
"Different ways. Sometimes Surya burns you. Sometimes Loki tricks you into a trap. Sometimes..." She trailed off.
"Sometimes what?"
"Sometimes you sacrifice yourself to close a rift that's already opening." Maya's voice was quiet. "You use your armor's power to contain the corruption, but it consumes you in the process."
"Would it work? Would it save people?"
"Yes. Thousands of them."
Arjun nodded slowly. "Then that's what I'll do. If it comes to that."
"Arjun—"
"I mean it." He sat up, meeting her eyes. "I've died twice already. Both times, I had regrets. Things I didn't do, people I didn't help. If I die tomorrow, I want it to mean something."
Maya was quiet for a long moment. Then she reached out and took his hand. "You know, in all the futures I saw, there was one constant. One thing that appeared in every timeline."
"What?"
"You never gave up. No matter how bad things got, no matter how hopeless it seemed, you kept fighting." She squeezed his hand. "That's worth something. That's worth a lot."
They sat together in the darkness, two reincarnations carrying the weight of ancient lives and uncertain futures. And for a moment, the burden felt a little lighter.
---
Dawn came too quickly.
They gathered in the town square, a group of twenty Seekers and reincarnations preparing to face an apocalypse. Elias gave final instructions, Marcus distributed supplies, and Achilles offered last-minute combat advice.
Then they split up, each team heading to their assigned location.
Arjun and Maya rode through Thornhaven's streets as the town woke up around them. People went about their morning routines, unaware of the danger they were in. Unaware that today might be their last day alive.
"Do you think they'd evacuate if we warned them?" Arjun asked.
"No," Maya said. "They'd panic, and The Architects would just move the ritual to a different location. Our best chance is to stop it before it starts."
They reached the town square and took up positions on a rooftop overlooking the area. From here, they could see the entire space—the market stalls being set up, the early morning shoppers, the normal life of a town that didn't know it was sitting on top of a bomb.
"How long?" Arjun asked.
Maya closed her eyes, reaching out with her time-sense. "Two hours. Maybe less. They're already gathering."
Arjun summoned his armor, the golden plates materializing around him. His bow appeared in his hand, solid and reassuring. He was as ready as he'd ever be.
They waited.
The sun climbed higher. The market filled with people. And then, just as Maya had predicted, Arjun felt it—a disturbance in the air, a wrongness that made his skin crawl.
"They're here," Maya whispered.
Arjun scanned the square and spotted them. Surya, moving through the crowd with flames dancing in her eyes. The massive Atlas figure, his stone skin barely concealed by a heavy cloak. The thin teleporter, flickering in and out of visibility. And Loki, wearing a different face but unmistakable in his aura of chaos.
"Four of them," Arjun said. "Same as before."
"Plus whoever's hidden." Maya's hands began to glow. "They wouldn't risk this without backup."
The Architects moved to four points around the square, forming a diamond pattern. They were being subtle, not drawing attention, but Arjun could see them preparing. Could feel the energy building.
"We need to stop them before they start the ritual," Maya said. "Once it begins, it'll be much harder to disrupt."
"Then let's not give them the chance." Arjun stood, drawing his bow. "Ready?"
"No. But let's do it anyway."
Arjun fired.
The arrow streaked across the square, aimed directly at Surya. She sensed it at the last moment and dodged, but the arrow exploded where she'd been standing, scattering the crowd and revealing her presence.
"Now!" Arjun shouted.
He and Maya jumped from the rooftop, landing in the square as chaos erupted around them. The civilians screamed and ran, clearing the area. The Architects abandoned their subtlety and attacked.
Surya launched a wave of fire. Atlas charged like a bull. The teleporter appeared behind Arjun, blade in hand. And Loki... Loki just smiled.
"Here we go again," the trickster said.
The battle was joined.
Arjun fought like he'd never fought before, using everything Achilles had taught him. He didn't fight fair—he used the environment, created distractions, struck from unexpected angles. When Atlas charged, Arjun didn't try to block. He dodged and fired an arrow at the giant's knee, targeting the joint where even stone skin would be vulnerable.
Atlas roared and stumbled, giving Arjun time to engage the teleporter. The thin figure appeared and disappeared, trying to get behind him, but Arjun had learned to predict the pattern. He fired where the teleporter would be, not where they were, and was rewarded with a scream as the arrow found its mark.
Maya fought Surya, using her time manipulation to slow the flames and create openings. It was a battle of precision against power, and Maya was holding her own.
But Loki... Loki was the problem.
The trickster didn't fight directly. Instead, he created chaos. Illusions that made allies look like enemies. Phantom attacks that drew attention away from real threats. Spatial distortions that made distance meaningless.
"You're good," Loki called out, dodging an arrow. "But you're still just one person. And we're many."
As if to prove his point, three more figures emerged from the crowd. More Architects, more reincarnations. Arjun didn't recognize them, but he could feel their power.
"Maya!" he shouted. "We're outnumbered!"
"I know!" She was breathing hard, her time manipulation clearly taking its toll. "We need to—"
She was cut off as one of the new Architects—a woman with eyes like a snake—struck her with some kind of paralysis effect. Maya froze, unable to move.
"No!" Arjun fired at the snake woman, but Loki deflected the arrow with a gesture.
"It's over, Karna," the trickster said. "You fought well, but you can't win. There are too many of us."
Arjun looked around. Maya was paralyzed. He was surrounded by seven Architects, all of them powerful reincarnations. And the ritual was beginning—he could feel the energy building, the barriers between phases starting to weaken.
He was going to lose.
Unless...
Arjun remembered what Maya had said. About the future where he sacrificed himself to close a rift. About using his armor's power to contain the corruption.
He didn't know if it would work. But he had to try.
"You're right," Arjun said, lowering his bow. "I can't win. Not like this."
"Finally, some sense," Loki said. "If you surrender now, we might even let you live. The Architects could use someone with your—"
Arjun didn't let him finish. He dismissed his bow and reached deep inside himself, to the core of Karna's power. To the divine armor that had made him invulnerable, that had been a gift from the sun god himself.
And he pulled.
The armor exploded outward, golden light flooding the square. But instead of forming plates around his body, it expanded, creating a dome of energy that encompassed the entire ritual site.
"What are you doing?" Surya screamed.
Arjun gritted his teeth against the pain. The armor wasn't meant to be used this way. It was tearing him apart from the inside, burning through his life force to fuel the expansion.
But it was working. The ritual energy was being contained, trapped inside the dome. The rift that had been forming was collapsing, unable to stabilize.
"Stop him!" Loki shouted.
The Architects attacked, but their powers couldn't penetrate the dome. Arjun had turned his invulnerability outward, creating a barrier that nothing could cross.
"Arjun, no!" Maya's voice, the paralysis wearing off. "You'll kill yourself!"
"I know," Arjun said. His voice was calm despite the agony. "But it's worth it."
He could feel his life draining away, his consciousness fading.