Mahabharat: Shiva's Last Variable

(A/N):

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The cheers hadn’t fully faded—When they emerged.

A King who had stepped forward and challenged Devara.

Broad shoulders. Armored showing their royalty.

Eyes filled with wounded pride.

He was the King Viryadhan of Kambojara Kingdom.

While Behind him—A Prince who had joined him in his previous challenge.

And a few more who echoed his stance. Slowly stepped forward after looking at each other.

Since the two took the lead.

A silent agreement were achieved between them.

’This cannot stand.’

The King Stepped Close seeing he was slowly gaining the support of the fellow prince and kings who were attending the event.

Placed his hand, On Devara’s shoulder. Trying to display of dominance over the other.

He pushed trying to use his strength.

Or tried to Because instead of pushing Devara back— He was the one who was moving back

Devara Didn’t Even Flinch looking at the king who put himself in a awkward postion.

Just—Looked at him calmly.

"...."

The Crowd Noticed this to. And laughter followed.

-HAHAHAHAHA!!!

-HAHAHAHAHA!!!

Sharp. Unforgiving. Not even his status saved him from the humiliation he was feeling now.

The King’s Face Twisted

He didn’t mask his Humiliation. Instead...

"Duel me."

A demand. A necessity. He wanted to reclaim his lost face through Duel.

Devara finally released Gandhari from his hug.

While she stepped back—Face flushed.

"...."

Devara didn’t over react. He accepted it simply the challenge.

"Alright."

To the Arena Center

They walked. The same ground—Where kings and prince showcased pride.

The King Drew His Sword. Heavy. Decorated.

Devara Turned Away simply walked to the weapon stand.

Rows of blades. Spears. Axes.

He picked... a simple sword

Swung it once. Cut the air cleanly.

-SWISHHHH!!!

Swung again. Measured balance of it in his hand.

Then Nodded as it was Good enough.

-Nod!

"...."

Returned Calmly back to the arena.

And for the Referee Prince Shakuni grinning. Volunteering to do it.

-Grin!

Enjoying this far too much.

"Begin."

As soon as Prince Shakuni announces the start of the duel.

The King Charged. Fast. Aggressive.

Trying to take the lead by striking first. And control the rhythm of the duel.

Strike One. Aimed at the neck.

Devara Leaned back. Effortless. Blade missed by a whisper.

At the last second.

Seeing his strike missed the king didn’t pause he continued with his attack.

As his Strike Two. Aimed at the leg.

Devara lifted his foot once again at the last moment.

Just enough. To Miss again.

While The King Lost Balance since he put lost of force into his pervious attack.

Fell forward showing his back unguarded to Devara.

And That Was Enough.

Devara made his first Move finally.

One clean kick—Straight to the back bum of the king.

Which made the king who was getting up from the ground who was on his four leg.

Fell Face-first impact to the ground. The arena floor greeted him.

Before he could recover—The force behind the kick even through Devara holded back still Dragged him

Across the ground. Through dust. Through his pride.

-SLAM!!!

Into the wall.

No movement after that impact.

Silence Returned Not from fear.

"...."

"...."

"...."

From realization how he the king was defeated.

Devara Stood There. Sword in hand. Which hasn’t been used much in the duel.

Not breathing hard. Not even warmed up.

As if—This wasn’t a fight. It was a humiliation which was wrapped in the disguise of duel.

The fallen king hadn’t even settled—When another stepped forward.

Prince Vajraveer of Angarashtra. Who had previously supported the fallen king.

He is Young. Confident. And angry seeing how humiliated hs friend was.

His weapon—A Gada.¹ Heavy. Crushing.

No words were spoken. He charged.

Straight at Devara in anger.

All he now wanted his to hit him with his Gada.¹

The mace slammed into Devara’s chest—

-BOOM!!!

Shockwaves rippled outward from the impact.

Dust rose. The arena trembled.

And yet—Devara didn’t move not even a few steps back.

Not a step. Not a breath change.

Even the Parvati Kavach... which will protect Devara from any harmful attacks. Didn’t activate sensing the attack.

Because—There was no threat.

The attack has no threat to Devara even a little.

The Prince Realized Too Late. Feeling the impact as his hands shivered by the impact.

The sound—Was wrong

Not of flesh. But like he had struck a Iron wall.

Devara Moved didn’t wait any longer. As his.

One hand—Grabbed the mace and Pulled it towards him.

Suddenly caught off guard by the yanking force.

The Prince Stumbled Forward.

Off balance. Exposed to the striking range of Devara’

A single punch... Landed clean on the prince’s face.

-BAM!!!

His body bent unnaturally by the impact.

Before collapsing—Unconscious leaving him in that same position.

Silence... again

"...."

"...."

"...."

But this time—Heavier by the truth before them.

The Remaining Challengers. Watched. Measured the pro’s and con’s.

And stepped back. One. Then another.

Retreat without words

Because—They understood

This wasn’t skill alone.

This was something else unnatural strength.

Then—A Voice interrupt the heavy atmosphere.

It was none other than Prince Shakuni

Clapped slowly. Smiling.

"The duel is decided. Prince Devaratha—Has proven his worth. To hold the hand of Princess Gandhari."

The Crowd Exploded hearing the announcement.

Cheers rose. Louder than before.

Not just approval—Acceptance of the strength of the prince who was going to take their princess hand in marriage.

Devara Stood There. Still holding the mace. Still processing life decisions at dangerous speed.

While in his mind he was still processing how fast the things were going.

’Came to help... won two fights... got engaged.’

Prince Shakuni. Didn’t waste time.

He walked straight to Devara—Pulled him into a hug.

And whispered with a grin—

-Grin!

"Welcome... brother-in-law."

Devara looked at the grinning Shakuni with dead eyes.

Before he could respond—He was escorted away.

To his chamber.

Since they need to prepare for the marriage.

"Marriage in a week."

No discussion.

Just... decided when the union would happen.

The Quiet Chamber...

That night—Devara lay on his bed.

Staring at the ceiling. Thoughts running wild

Fights. Gods. Training.

Now all the sudden Marriage??.

Then—A Presence entered the chamber.

Familiar. Steady.

He turned to look and saw Bhishma

Standing there—With a smirk on his face while one of his hands holding his wide beard.

Devara rushed forward seeing him and Hugged him tightly.

A brother’s embrace

Years apart—Gone in a moment.

Bhishma finally Spoke

"I’ve sent word to Hastinapur. They’ll arrive soon."

A pause—

"...And to Mother."

Hearing his mother was informed about Devara Froze.

"...."

Face turning red instantly in embarrassment.

’...Oh no.’

He had transformed From warrior... to embarrassed groom

Reality Settling In. This wasn’t temporary.

This was happening. He is going to get married.

Catching Up to the married status.

They sat. Talked. Years poured out.

Bhishma Updated Him of what had happened,

Dhritarashtra’s Path which he choose during this years.

Followed Devara’s advice.

Performed penance to Lord Shiva

Result: Gained new divine eyes

Old blindness erased completely

Additionally Blessed with 100 sons

Then the conversation shifted to Pandu’s Fate

A hunt he went with his wife Princess Kunti.

A very very bad mistake he did was kill a sage when he was enjoying his time with his wife in the form of deer.

Before he died he cursed Pandu. Who apologized to him for misfireing at them.

"Touch a woman with desire... and die."

After getting the curse Pandu was filled with regreats.

He remembered Devara’s old advice don’t attack anything before he was sure about that if he went to hunt...

So with heavy choice he made His Choice

Left the throne for his brother who has went to do penance.

Went to the forest—With his wives Kunti and Aathi

The Crown Falls. Back to Dhritarashtra who now become a king—Who returned after penance.

The Balance Shifts in this past 10 years.

Devara Listened Silently taking in everything.

Because he understood—These weren’t random events.

They were consequences.

Even if he advised someone to change their fate.

Its a Ripples of decisions.

From choices they make. From advice which is their take whether to take it or not...

Even his own actions. Will have effects on the peoples surrounding them.

While the story moved to how Madri become pregnant.

Carried a child.

For one year... Then two... Then three.

No pain of labour. No signs of birth.

Only silence.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Until the day it broke

After a heated argument with King Dhritarashtra

She collapsed.

And what emerged... After she gave birth was not a child.

But a mass of flesh.

Unformed. Unnatural.

Sage Vyasa who arrived at the right moment after he got the devine call to help the couple with the boon of Lord Shiva.

He didn’t react with shock.

Seeing the mass of flesh. Only understanding

Because this—Was not birth.

It was interference due to impatience.

With steady hands—He divided it the mass of flesh into.

101 pieces

Each placed—Into pots of ghee and sacred herbs.

Sealed. Silent.

"...."

"...."

"...."

His words were when he left is.

"They will live. But remember—this is not how destiny was meant to unfold."

He divided to one piece extra because

Meanwhile...

In Gandhara...

Princess Gandhari stood beside Devara arriving at the midset of Bhishma’s explanation.

Unaware—That somewhere—Fate had already begun to bend. And her fate had detached and attached with Devara.

Devara Listened To the everything.

And for the first time—He understood

This wasn’t coincidence.

His presence... Was changing the story itself but no enough to change everything.

He can’t force someone to make different decision.

After chatting for a while Bhishma finally left.

Leaving behind the two who will be soon will become a couples.

The door closed.

And with it—The noise of the world.

No kings to make any challenge. No cheers from the public.

Just two people. Sitting across from each other.

Devara Still processing looking at. Gandhari sitting Quiet.

But not uncertain.

Devara finally decided to Broke the Silence

"Do you... really want this?"

Not doubt. Just honesty in his question.

She Nodded as soon as he asked that question.

No hesitation. And then—she spoke about how she navitaged these past ten years after he left.

"These ten years... I didn’t realize when it started. Thinking about you became... normal. Then necessary."

Her Voice Softened as he spoke about how she felt.

"When father announced the swayamvara... I didn’t feel happy. I panicked."

She Looked at Him with Steady eyes.

Unshaken will.

"That’s when I understood. I can’t imagine a life without you."

Her Hands Found His Warm. Firm.

"I love you."

No drama. Just truth about her feeling.

Devara Looked Back Into her eyes—Clear. Alive.

And something shifted inside him.

Because this—Was new

No battlefield. No enemy.

Just... someone choosing him with their heart and want to connect their life with him.

His Heart Reacted First

Faster. Stronger.

-Lub-Dub!.. -Lub-Dub!

-Lub-Dub!...

She Felt It as soon as her hand resting on his chest—A small smile formed on her face.

Because she knew. She got the answer from his heart.

Then—She Hugged Him Tightly. Not asking for his answer anymore.

"...."

Holding on listening to his heat beat increasing.

A Moment Passed...

Before—Devara Hugged Her Back. Slowly. But fully. Now accepting her as his own.

"I will try."

Not grand words. But real ones

"I’ll love you properly. You won’t regret this."

Not a promise of perfection. A promise of effort

And somehow—That made it stronger and genuine instead of fancy.

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(Author note:)

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