Destiny or Accident?

Episode: 18 || Escape

"Memories warm you up from the inside.
But they also tear you apart."

The night was deepening, with only a few hours since the sun had slipped below the horizon. The fragrant oils from the lit diyas lingered in the air, creating a serene atmosphere, starkly contrasting the growing tension in the garden below. The calm in the air felt almost mocking, as everyone present was in various states of shock and disbelief.

Bhishma, Vidur, and the elders stood in stunned silence, their usually composed faces betraying the weight of the moment. First, it was the audacity of these so-called royals. They had dared to threaten their guest, even hinting at sparking a war, all under Bhishma's very nose. It had shaken the foundations of their understanding. But the revelation that followed was even more staggering—that these intruders weren't just pretenders but had an ancient, royal connection. The kind that Bhishma had only heard about in the oldest of stories.

Duryodhana, meanwhile, stood with a smirk that barely concealed his conflicted emotions. Suspicion had gripped him from the beginning. He had been right that they weren't the royals they claimed to be—servants, at best, pretending to be more than they were. But now? Now, they were revealed to be something greater. Connected to a lineage that eclipsed even his status. The irony wasn't lost on him. They had gone from servants to pretenders, and now, to something far more powerful. His fists clenched in frustration, his mind racing as he tried to reconcile his initial assessment with this new, inconvenient truth.

The Pandavas, though less involved, exchanged uncertain glances. They had their doubts from the start, suspecting something was off about these supposed royals. But now they were faced with a truth they hadn't anticipated. Even though the duo were revealed to have royal blood, the Pandavas couldn't ignore their actions—attacking their guest was still an offense. Did their lineage excuse their behavior?

And then there was Karna, the most visibly troubled of them all. His mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts. When I was with Advika, was it fate that brought me to her? Now, with them standing in his world, in his era, he couldn't ignore the growing suspicion that some great cosmic force was at play. What powers are pulling these strings? He had spent his life feeling the invisible hands of fate pushing him from one destiny to another. But now, it was as if those strings were not just pulling him but everyone around him. He needed to know who—or what—was orchestrating all of this. His eyes lingered on Advika, sensing she, too, was swept up in forces beyond their control.

And then, there was Advika. While everyone else reeled in shock, her reaction was unnerving. She sat perfectly still, her eyes fixed on some far-off point, her expression void of emotion. This wasn't right. She was never this calm. This was the woman who would charge into chaos, fists first, asking questions later. Yet now, as everything lined up so perfectly—her arrival at the palace, the king knowing her name and Chandu's—everything felt too clean, too neat. It was unsettling, almost unnatural. Why does this feel... too perfect? The explanations fit so well, and that made her stomach churn with unease.

Meanwhile, Chandu was grappling with his own storm of disbelief. He wasn't related to Advika by blood. They had formed their sibling bond over the course of dangerous missions, forged through shared trials and protectiveness. So how could he possibly fit into this ancient royal bloodline? The idea that Advika could be connected to a legendary queen—Rama—was one thing. But him? He couldn't fathom how he played a part in this. Why am I even involved? The shock weighed heavily on him, his mind looping the same question without answer.

King Ujjwal of Mahishmati stood with a wide smile, chatting animatedly with Mahamantri Vidur and Bhishma, though the two were still visibly reeling from the earlier revelations. Despite their shock, they maintained the dignity required when hosting a royal guest. Ujjwal, however, was a stark contrast. Relief radiated from his every gesture, happiness dripping from his face. He had finally found the key to ending the curse that had plagued his kingdom for generations. In his mind, he would give anything to ensure the curse was lifted—whatever Advika and Chandu asked for, he would give without hesitation. This was the legacy ingrained in him from childhood, to bend to the will of the ones prophesied to save his land.