Thunder in Swarga

Far above the mortal plane, beyond the golden veil of the skies, a storm brewed—not of clouds, but of uncertainty.

In Amaravati, the celestial city of Swarga, gods moved restlessly. The scent of soma lingered, yet no one drank. The music of apsaras was stilled. Even the skies dimmed slightly—something unheard of in a realm of eternal light.

Lord Indra, King of the Devas, stood on his jeweled throne, hands clasped behind his back, gazing into the Akashic Mirror.

It showed a single mortal.

Aryan—now known in divine records as the Vishwakarmic Avatar.

Behind Indra, sages, gandharvas, and lesser devas murmured.

Brihaspati, his wise guru, spoke first. "He has unlocked the Trimurti's favor. Even you, O King of Devas, must tread lightly."

Indra's eyes flashed like lightning. "I know power. This is not just power—it's a variable. An architect without limits is dangerous. He's already preparing to intervene."

A flick of his hand changed the mirror's view.

Karna. Clad in golden armor and celestial earrings—Kavach and Kundal, born with him, blessed by Surya himself.

Indra's expression hardened.

> "In the true timeline, I descend in disguise to beg for that armor. Karna gives it willingly, binding his fate. But if he interferes... what then? What becomes of destiny? Of Krishna's plan? Of balance?"

Brihaspati frowned. "Would you have Karna live? Perhaps even defeat Arjuna?"

"Not defeat." Indra clenched his fist. "But if Karna lives unshackled, if Aryan convinces him of his lineage—Pandava blood awakened—it would split the war at its core. And I… I cannot see the outcome."

From the shadows, a voice—deep, rumbling, ancient.

Yama, Lord of Death and Dharma, stepped forward.

"Shouldn't you be more concerned, Indra, about why the Architect is interfering? He is not driven by ambition, but by balance. Is that not what Dharma is?"

Indra scowled. "Even balance can become poison if it spreads without bounds. What if he changes more than Karna? What if he undoes Draupadi's humiliation? Revives Ekalavya? Spares Drona? Cancels the war?"

Brihaspati nodded slowly. "Dharma is not always peace. Sometimes, war is the purifier."

A silent pause settled in the chamber.

Then Indra declared, "Prepare my descent. I will still go to Karna. But I will mask my intent deeper this time."

Yama raised a brow. "And what of Aryan?"

Indra's voice turned cold. "If he stands between me and the fulfillment of destiny… I will remind him why I am the King of Heaven."

Lightning cracked across the skies of Swarga.

And far below, deep in the plains of Hastinapura, Aryan opened his eyes once more—his third eye tingling.

"Indra is coming," he murmured. "Let's see if a god can lie to a man who sees truth."