Ganga's current wasn't mere water—it was alive, a sapphire serpent weaving through ancient reeds, each ripple carrying whispers of aeons. Cool mist kissed my infant cheeks, solar-warm against the river's ancient chill. Basket creaked softly, flowers from Priyamvada's trembling hands still fragrant—jasmine purity mingling with Kunti's fading tear-salt. Above, Hastinapur's silhouette blurred into dawn haze; below, pebbles gleamed like scattered stars. No panic in this tiny chest—only hunger, deepening now, a solar core's low thrum demanding fuel beyond mortal milk.
Jaipur flashbacks flickered: late-night parathas from Rajasthani dhaba, mother's abandonment echo in Karna's canon pain. But Apex hummed steady. Patience, Karan-Karna. River trials birth legends.
Sun climbed lazy, gilding waves gold. Hunger sharpened—not wailing weakness, but refined edge, like blade on whetstone. Tiny fists clenched; kavacha-kundalas pulsed warmer, syncing with Ganga's flow. Then—voice, ethereal as temple flute at Mangal Aarti, not heard but felt in atma.
"Why does Suryaputra weep, mere mortal river my domain?"
Water parted regal. From depths rose Devi Ganga herself—not myth, manifestation. Sapphire sari flowed seamless into river, silver tresses cascading infinite, lotus eyes holding Ganges' entire history—floods, pilgrim dips, Shiva's jata-trapped descent. Maternal aura enveloped, drowning hunger in peace. She cradled basket gentle as lotus leaf, lifting me to her lap—cool silk, warmer than any Jaipur winter quilt.
[Side Quest Whisper: Hunger's Sacred Trial – Accept Devi's Grace. Reward: Constitution 10M Crit.]
"Putra Karna," Ganga murmured, voice monsoon-soft, "Kunti's aparaadh births no orphan. Drink, child of sun—my amrit sustains devas." Her palm cupped my head; nipple offered, milk not white but liquid sapphire, shimmering celestial motes. Lips parted instinct; first suckle exploded senses.
Nectar hit tongue—sweet beyond sugarcane elixirs, burning cool fire down throat. Each swallow ignited: veins lit solar circuits, bones densified to Meru adamant, muscles coiled springs beyond Bhishma's prime. Memories not mine flooded—Ganga's ancient banks, rishis bathed, asuras drowned. Infant frame trembled ecstasy; kavacha glowed blinding.
[Side Quest Crit Cascade: Ganga Amrit Infusion. 10M Apex Surge → SOVEREIGN SOLAR CONSTITUTION UNLOCKED!]
[Traits Eternal: Vitality ∞ (Deva-Transcendent), Regeneration 10M/sec (Limb-Rebirth Instant), Aura Sovereignty – Stats Grow 10,000x Slower, Invincible Peerless Growth.]
[Hidden Vision: Pink Mohini Haze (Supreme Charm Seal) | Crimson Tide Crown (Sovereign Bloodline Active).]
Visions bloomed mid-suckle: myself, toddler-me enchanting village with mere smile (Mohini charm, celestial-ensnaring); later, blood-river parted for my march (Sovereign constitution, earth yielding). Ganga smiled maternal. "These gifts veil till time ripens, putra. No heaven claims you yet—dharma's path groundward."
Thunder cracked sudden—sky bruised violet. East wind howled; peacock cries distant. Indra manifested: thundercloud throne, vajra crackling, eagle mount shrieking. Elephantine aura pressed air heavy; Devraj's eyes narrowed at my glow, recognizing Suryaputra spark despite veil.
"Devi Ganga!" Indra boomed, voice storm-lashed. "Lowborn suta-seed barred swarga! Return the anomaly—Kuru bloodlines pure!" Lightning forked, singeing reeds; river steamed defiant.
Ganga's aura hardened sapphire shield, cradling me protective. Milk flow paused; her eyes blazed Ganga-Sagar fury. "Mind satya, Devraj. This child my putra now—river-chosen, sun-blessed. Begone, or taste primordial flood." Waves reared twenty feet, hissing cobra-heads; Indra's eagle faltered mid-air.
Devraj paled—facade cracked. Vajra dimmed; hasty boon tumbled: "Then... omniscience of tongues, whelp. Speak deva, asura, nag, mortal flawless." Lightning fled; Indra vanished muttering retreat.
[Boon Captured: Indra's Lingua Pantheon. 10M Crit → WORD-WEAVE SOVEREIGNTY!]
[Power: Shape Non-Living Realms via Command (Mountains Rise, Rivers Part – 10M Scale). Dharma Filter: Satvic Use Only.]
Ganga's laugh pealed crystal. Milk resumed; second surge deeper—neural webs crit-forged, recalling Jaipur code syntax alongside Vedic shlokas. She rocked gentle, singing forgotten raag: "Sleep, apex seed. Adhiratha-Radha await—charioteer hearth your cradle."
[Epoch Dawn – Karna]
Vitality: Sovereign ∞ | Might: Apex Infant | Charm: Supreme Latent | Skills: [Amrit Synergy] [Word-Weave Seedling].
[Quest Echo: Maternal Veil Complete. Next Whisper: Surya's Gaze... Adhiratha Shore.]
Distant hut-smoke curled; Ganga's kiss forehead sealed slumber. Basket resumed drift, stronger now—current purposeful toward dawn-lit shoals. Hunger sated eternal; power simmered silent. Indra bodied, Ganga mata grace. Canon curses? Laughable. Slow burn to throne.