THE RETURN OF THE PRINCES

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Maya's days passed in a tranquil haze, her mind often wandering back to her encounter with Karna. She couldn't help but wonder if their paths would cross again, and what fate had in store for them. A fortnight went by, and Maya found herself growing restless, her thoughts consumed by the memory of Karna's piercing gaze.
One day, as she sat on the swing, gently swaying in the breeze, the neighborhood old lady approached her. "Are you going to the palace today, my dear?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "The princes, the Pandavas and Kauravas, are returning, and they will be displaying their skills. It's a grand event, one you shouldn't miss!"
Maya's heart skipped a beat as she considered the old lady's words. She had heard of the Pandavas and Kauravas, the legendary princes of Hastinapur, but she had never seen them in person. And then, there was Karna... the possibility of seeing him again was too enticing to resist.
She made her way to the palace, her heart racing with anticipation. As she entered the grand arena, she was struck by the sheer scale of the event. The air was electric with excitement, the crowd buzzing with anticipation.
Maya's eyes scanned the grounds, taking in the sights and sounds. She saw the Pandavas, the five brothers, each with their unique skills and strengths. She saw Arjuna, the skilled archer, and Bhima, the powerful warrior. She saw Yudhishthira, the wise and just king, and the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva.
And then, her gaze fell upon Karna, standing at a distance, his eyes fixed intently on the proceedings. Maya's heart fluttered as their eyes met, and she felt a jolt of electricity run through her veins.
Karna stood tall and proud, his armor gleaming in the sunlight. His eyes seemed to bore into her soul, as if searching for something, or someone. Maya felt a sense of shyness wash over her, but she couldn't look away, her gaze drawn to Karna's like a magnet.
The event began, and Maya watched in awe as the princes showcased their skills. She saw Arjuna's precision archery, Bhima's brute strength, and Yudhishthira's wise leadership.

As the event continued, Guru Dronacharya announced, "And now, I present to you, the greatest archer mankind has ever seen - Arjuna!"
The crowd erupted in applause, and Arjuna bowed graciously, his smile radiant with pride. But then, a voice pierced the air, "I protest!"
Karna, the sutaputra, stepped forward, his eyes blazing with determination. "I challenge Arjuna to a archery contest!"
The Pandavas snickered and mocked Karna, "Oh, look at the sutaputra thinking he can match Arjuna's skills!"
But Duryodhan, the Kaurava prince, stepped forward, his voice firm, "Wait, why is Arjuna scared to accept Karna's challenge? If he's truly the greatest archer, then he should have no problem defeating Karna!"
Arjuna's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger, "I accept your challenge, Karna!"
The crowd gasped, their excitement palpable. Maya watched, her heart racing with anticipation, as Karna and Arjuna faced off in the arena.

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