Saga Of The Timeless (A Mahabharata Story)

79. An Empire Silenced

Third Party POV

An emergency council had been called, the grand hall of Hastinapur vibrating with a strange, ominous energy. Word of an unknown army, one that had seemingly materialized out of the darkened skies, had spread like wildfire, igniting fear and confusion among the court's most seasoned warriors. Hushed voices and anxious glances filled the room, but as Pitamah Bhishma took his place at the center, a tense silence blanketed the hall.

In the center stood the soldier who had first witnessed the strange force. He was drenched in sweat, his face pale, and his gaze fixed on the ground as if afraid to meet anyone's eyes.

Bhishma's voice cut through the silence, calm yet carrying an edge sharper than steel. "How did this army arrive unnoticed? Explain why no one saw them coming."

The soldier swallowed, his throat bobbing as he struggled to find the words. "Pitamah..." He looked up, his voice trembling. "It... it was as though they appeared from thin air. One moment, the fields beyond Hastinapur were empty, and then the skies turned dark, thick with a fog that swallowed everything in its path. And from that fog, as if born from shadows themselves, they emerged. Silent. Standing motionless... like statues. They did not march, they simply... were there."

Pitamah's  gaze was icy, his brow furrowing as he processed the disturbing account. "And what do we know of them?" His voice was level but tinged with an unmistakable tension. "What kingdom do they belong to? Who would dare send such a force to our borders?"

Dhritarashtra leaned forward in his throne, his knuckles white as they gripped the arms of his seat. His voice, though filled with the restraint of a king, was laced with worry. "Did our spies see nothing? How has such a force arisen without a whisper of warning?"

Mahamantri Vidura stepped forward, shaking his head slowly, a shadowed expression on his face. "No, Maharaj. This army is like none we have ever encountered. They bear no colors, no banners. They march under no flag, no king. It is as if they have risen from the earth itself."

A murmur spread through the hall, voices laced with fear and disbelief. Bhishma raised a hand, quieting them all.

Duryodhan 's voice rang out, sharp and defiant. "We waste time fearing , Father!" He scoffed, his eyes burning with pride as he glanced dismissively at the shaken soldier. "Let them come. Whoever they are, they have made the mistake of challenging Hastinapur. We will crush them!"

Karna, his gaze unwavering, nodded in agreement. "Mitra Duryodhan is right. There is no need to fear what cannot defeat us. We should prepare to meet them on the battlefield."

Yuvraj Yudhishthir, who had been watching quietly, spoke up with a calm but warning tone. "Anuj Duryodhan, pride has toppled the mightiest of warriors. We must first learn who these people are before rushing into a confrontation." He glanced at Bhishma, his brow furrowed. "We must approach this carefully, Pitamah."

Arjun joined, his eyes dark with resolve. "Bhrata is right. We cannot underestimate the unknown. We should gather our forces but act with caution."

Just then, the sound of frantic footsteps echoed down the hall, and Shakuni burst in, his face pale, his eyes wild with terror. He stumbled into the center of the sabha, clutching his chest as he struggled for breath. His clothes were disheveled, and he looked as if he had been running for his life.

"Maharaj! Pitamah!" he cried, his voice cracked and hoarse. "Doom... doom has come upon us!"

Dhritarashtra's brow tightened in irritation, though a shadow of worry flickered in his expression. "Shakuni, what madness is this? Control yourself. We are in the midst of a council."