Chapter 13: The Golden Warrior in the Future

Classified Research Facility – Nevada Desert, Present Day

The air was thick with tension. The soldiers surrounding the ChronoGate raised their rifles, their fingers twitching on the triggers. The man who had stepped through the swirling portal wasn't an ordinary intruder.

Karna, the warrior of unparalleled valor, stood before them.

His golden armor shimmered unnaturally under the sterile laboratory lights, a stark contrast to the drab metal and glass that surrounded him. His piercing gaze scanned the unfamiliar world, his expression unreadable.

Dr. Evelyn Carter barely managed a whisper. "This isn't possible... He shouldn't be here."

Karna's voice, deep and commanding, cut through the silence.

"What world is this? Where have the gods brought me?"

General Thompson stepped forward, speaking cautiously. "We should be asking you that, pal. You just walked out of a goddamn portal from the past."

Karna frowned. "You wield no bows, no blades… only strange black rods that breathe fire. You command iron chariots that move without horses. Are you Asuras or Devas?"

Thompson exchanged a glance with his men. This was beyond classified intelligence—a living, breathing mythological figure had crossed into modern times.

The scientist, Dr. Malcolm Reed, took a cautious step forward. "Lord Karna... We are but men, just like you. But from a different time—an age where steel and fire rule instead of honor and dharma."

Karna studied him, then turned his gaze to the portal behind him, which was crackling with unstable energy. His hand instinctively reached for his bow—except it wasn't there.

"My Vijaya bow… it was in my hands when I stepped into the void. Where is it?"

Dr. Carter checked the readings on the console, her eyes widening. "The energy field must have stripped away objects of divine origin—if it was granted to him by Lord Indra, it might not have crossed over."

Karna's fists clenched, his eyes glowing with rage. "Then I am unarmed in the land of demons."

One of the soldiers muttered under his breath. "Shit… he's strong even without a weapon."

Thompson took a deep breath. "Alright, listen up. We need to keep this under control. Secure the facility."

But before anyone could react, the portal behind Karna pulsed violently—and then, without warning—it collapsed in on itself.

The glowing energy vanished.

The room fell into silence.

Evelyn stared at the empty space where the portal had been. "Oh no… We just lost our only way back."

Karna turned toward her, his expression grim. "Then it seems, I am your prisoner."