This chapter is not authentic to the original Mahabharata at all. From here the war scenarios varies massively , and wouldn't have any comparison to the Kurukshetra war that is described in authentic Jaya samhitha.
Again, this is fictional and is completely my imagination.

Happy reading !!

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Yudhishthir's dilemma

Spies were buzzing with urgency when Yudhishthir finally gave them a hearing, amidst the preparation for the second day of battle that was to commence in half an hour. Dawn was near , and air was tumultuous with an anxious anticipation.

When they informed Dharmaraj about the stout vow of Bhishma to obliterate Karna from the battlefield, Yudhishthir was in a dilemma. Torn between instincts of a brother and duties of a warlord.
He dismissed them , and walked aiming Arjun's tent to find a solution for the torment the news has brought to his heart.

Arjun was beside Madhav , seated on the stair of Nandighosh. Gandiv was gently placed beside him. Phalgun rose from his seat upon noticing a not-so-calm Yudhishthir approaching them. His jyesht's face was etched with lines of wary and worry.

Is everything alright Bhratha?!
Jishnu enquired as Yudhishthir walked closer.

Unfortunately no , Anuj.
Yudhishthir glanced at Janardhana.
Dwarakeshwar looked calm and collected.

What is it Jyesht ? Do tell me , we shall find a solution.
Arjun assured his brother.

The spies relied a message . Pitamah has taken a vow yesterday at the Kaurava camp. ..
Yudhishthir paused to take a deep breath.
Arjun nodded at him to continue.
To either kill or remove Jyesht Bhratha from the battlefield today.
Yudhishthir conveyed , his eyes unsettled, clenching his jaw in frustration.

Arjun was shaken , but his face remained stoic. He turned towards Madhav.
What shall we do Madhav? Shouldn't we talk about this to Dada.
Arjun stated calmly.
The war drums resonated from distance. Their rhythm guiding the heart beat of all that heard them. Their beaming ruckus mirrored the restlessness of every warrior that was destined to be in the battlefield another day. Many were still grieving the loss of their comrades, but eager to avenge their dead brothers,  uncertain of their own survival for another day. They marched past the royals towards the battlefield to stand in formation.

We shall inform Vaikarthana. Let him decide.
Krishna stated , his baritone - devoid of any emotions.
Yudhishthir nodded in resolve.
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Karna's resolution

Mahamahim has all right to stand against his enemy and kill him in a fair fight. He will do all he can to get rid of what stands against him and I will do all that it takes to prevent whatever stands against our way. This new vow doesn't make any difference.
Karna's smooth tone reverberated amidst the tension in the room with finality. His hands strapped his war gears firmly in place.

But atleast let's provide a line of defence around you to prevent a terrible outcome.
Drishtadyumn's voice rang with urgency.
Karna placed a reassuring hand on the commander's shoulder.

Prince , you have once told me that I wouldn't be provided with a battalion of protection in the battlefield.
I want you to stick to that statement. I will consider that as the trust my commander has on my skills.
Karna smiled gently.
Drupadputr couldn't argue further.

But still... Dada.
Arjun tried yet again.

Arjuna..
Karna glanced at him with an unyielding gaze.
If I am to back down at the face of a challenge, I will be dishonouring the teachings my Guru bestowed upon me.
He said.
I am willingly taking part in this war supporting my brothers. The consequences of my decisions are mine to bear. You cautioned me about the trouble out of concern, and I choose to face it.
That's final .
Karna said , for everyone else in the tent to hear. His thick velvety voice held quite the authority of a king.
Karna's gaze locked with Krishna for a moment. Krishna nodded in assurance with a subtle sad smile.
Karna returned it with a slight curve of his lips, which held warmth and determination.

I will be in reach Baba. I will step in to help ,if things spiralled out of control.
Vrishsen stepped in with determination.
Karna blinked at him in approval without argument. He knew it will put his brothers at ease, even though little.
Arjun exhaled heavily, as he patted Vrishsen on his shoulders with a grateful nod, which Vrishsen returned in understanding.

As the occupants of the room walked out with heavy steps laden with purpose, Krishna purposefully stayed back.
Karna noticed and walked upto him.

What is it Keshav?...
Karna quired.
Mukundan placed a hand over the other's shoulder.
Certain sacrifices are bound to happen inorder to keep the balance intact. I am sure you will choose right , when the time comes. Be yourself Karna. No other priorities shall way you down while making your decision other than your morals. Hold on to Guru Parashurama's teachings - he will always guide you right. Trust your parents' guidence , they have raised a righteous son.
Krishna smiled at him- a rare mixture of pride and admiration shining in his gaze.
Karna merely nodded before the weight of those words.

Belief of a lover

I am sure you will return to me as you promised. And bring our family safely back to the tent by the end of the day.
Vrishali said, as she did her husband's aarathi.

I will; my lady.
Karna smiled, admiring his love and the strength she held within. If they weren't amidst the crowd of warriors and their family bidding them to the battlefield, Karna would have took her in a tight embrace for the strength  she gave him everytime he doubted himself, for the assurance she provided everytime he felt lacking. For being by his side always with a smile , as his silent strength - maybe without even realising , without even trying.

You better.
She teased back with a playful smirk.
A little worry that gnawed at his heart melting away in the warmth her words held. She winked at him, while his eyes widened in amusement.

Well well .. I shall leave now.
Karna said as she applied the thilak on his forehead, the bloody red saffron stood gloriously midst the sun symbol on his forehead.
Vrishali nodded solemnly, her eyes still gleaming with an indomitable confidence.
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The infallible chant of Vasus

Duryodhan hummed in satisfaction as he learned about the strategy his commander has prepared to orchestra on the battlefield- inorder to eliminate Karna from the Kurukshetra.
Shakuni was baffled at the extent the grandsire has went to fulfill his vow.

Gangeya has pleased celestials -
the vasus.
And has begotten a rare boon from his celestial brothers.
Upon the request of Bhishma for an infallible astra, Vasus blessed Devavratha by a mantra - which upon utterance would bound a weapon with the occult power to take the life of its opponent under almost all circumstance. But this mantra could only be used once.

Shakuni grinned menacingly looking at the mock battlefield, with the Kaurava side now arranged in a proud Garuda vyuha.
It was purposefully planned to snatch a particular prey amidst a flock. And to pull apart the opponent army into shreds.

That Suta's end is near.
Shakuni muttered under his breath.
Gandhar's army and its commanders were crushed under the might of the Suryaputra the first day. Shakuni wasn't gonna let the humiliation slide so easily. Afterall, a son of a charioteer wasn't expected to attain such a feat - of obliterating almost an entire akshauhini.
Shakuni's jaw clenched at the thought,

That Bastard could be a threat in our path. And he should be annihilated earliest as possible.
Shakuni mumbled , this time , loud enough for his nephew to hear.
Duryodhan hummed in a smug grin.

_______________________________

The Rage of survivors

The army was assembled. The land was still littered from last day's battle. Corpse of men and animal sprawled lifeless alike, broken chariots , wood, metal and war gears abandoned aimlessly. Unlike yesterday, the land of kurukshetra was marshy - the once sturdy land now soaked in gallons of blood. The air was thick with the stench of death. Scavengers loomed over the land. The dawn was right at the horizon, while both sides faced eachother for another day of savage slaughter.

The conch shells were blown , drums , bugles , trumpets , and horns were all suddenly sounded , and the combined sound was tumultuous. An anxious energy filled the air as commanders of both sides signaled their soldiers to be armed and ready for combat. The columns and rows of armed soldiers moved and mixed with practiced ease to form the day's Vyuha.
The Kaurava battalions were assembled into Garuda vyuha under the disciplined guidence of commander Bhishma while the Pandava army arrayed themselves in the Kraucha Vyuha under the calculated instructions of Drishtadyumn.

Panchajanya resonated again , devadatta and hiranyagarbha followed. Pundra and Sughosha vibrated as well. Shashanka of Bhishma and Vidarka of Duryodhana reverberated with equal zeal. Thus the war commenced.

As planned, Bhima was at the left wing of Kraucha , and Drishtadyumn held the right wing. The beak was Arjuna with Karna right behind him alongside the undefeated Satyaki. Foot soldiers and Rathi class warriors flocked than from all sides.
Abhimanyu and Vrishsen were in far vicinity - few akshaunis away. And behind them were the Naga army led by Iravan - almost indistinguishable from the front line due to the distance.

On the other side , Bhishma was moving as the beak of the eagle. Both wings were thronged by the might of maharathis like Dronacharya , Ashwathama , Bhagadatta, Bahlika, Kritavarma alongside the bhoja warriors of Narayani sena.
Somadatta , Trigartha army led by Susharma and his brothers, madra army led by Shalya, all strengthened the formation led by commander Bhishma - with their unparalleled skills and techniques. Kaurava brothers protected within the gaurd of the Garuda vyuha.

The battle raged under the intense rays of sun. Hooves and wheels stirred the mud beneath , the remnants of corpse of men and beasts - from last day- merged seamlessly with the mud, under the pressure of the new battle that ensued as a concatenation of the giant war.

The Garuda's right wing was the majestic  elephantry of Kalinga which clashed with the roaring strength of Bheema's regiments backed up by maharathi Drishtaketu and half his Akshauhini.
Roars and terrible rumbles of elephants echoed throughout the battlefield, muffling the agonizing cry of men crushed beneath them.
Bheema and his battalion lured the midline of elephantry into trap while Drishtaketu tracked the soldiers atop these giants down. Elephants without their trainers retreated erratically into their own formation- causing chaos amidst the elephantry ranks that followed behind. The right face of the Kaurava army already started crumbling under Bheema's and Drishtaketu's vigour.

The chaos at the left side of the battlefield was daunting , but Karna focused his attention keenly on the matter at his hand. Bhagadatta stood infront of him with a challenge.
Mounted on the behemoth elephant - Suprathika was the king of prajgyothisha. The old king has never tasted defeat from his opponents, with an exception being Arjun. His face framed inside the security of a metal helmet was shrunk into folds of skin , weighed down by his age and wisdom , still his eyes was ablaze with the fiery spirit of a lion - ready to prance at his enemy with the sharpest claws and canines.
His mahout - a young lad - looked alert and collected, with a long pole  in a wise grip, holding the beast in place.

Clash of Titans

Are you willing to answer my challenge or are you planning to stay still until dusk ?
Bhagadatta roared from his place atop the howdah.
Karna raised his head to meet Bhagadatta's gaze. The sun light streaked through the shades of his chariot , shining over his forehead- setting his amber eyes on fire.

I accept your challenge, but what if you eloped from the battlefield when this challenge spiral out of your control?!
Karna retorted , with equal mockery in his tone.

That might be your doings, coward. Bhagadatta doesn't fear anything!!
The king proclaimed.

Ofcourse! We shall see..
Karna scoffed.
Even amidst the verbal insults , Karna knew the vigour of Bhagadatta. He is a dear friend of Indra and an indomitable warrior in battles. Karna's instincts warned him to tred carefully.

The King raised his bow and knocked an arrow with precision.
The arrow embedded with energy wissed through the air with ominous speed, straight at Karna. It got countered mid air as Karna's arrow collided it with equal force. The twang of Vijaya resonated loud , Suprathika sulked and took a step behind. But Bhagadatta's mahout urged the beast forward , so as to not retreat further.

Karna perceived Suprathika's unease.
He launched two arrows simultaneously to counter Bhagadatta's attack and the other streaked forward until Bhagadatta countered it in urgency. Karna summoned arrows again and again, his assault relentless, Bhagadatta countered each with accuracy. The atmosphere grew tense , as both maharathis locked horns with growing intensity. Spear- headed arrows, Karnikas , crow- beaked arrows all flew left and right catching eachother's attacks without miss.
When their exchanges remained tie and didn't grew beneficial to either side , Karna noticed something, Bhagadatta has started to take steps back one by one , and Daruka was guiding the chariot towards them tracing their steps.. almost out of the formation- away from Satyaki's reach.
Karna realised the trap- even though a little late, he could still turn the table.

Daruka ! Circle them.
Karna ordered.

But we might strand out of formation, maharathi!!
Daruka turned halfway around to look at Karna , at the odd command.

We have already stranded way out of formation, Daruka. Now we will have to bring this to our benefit , we can still turn the tied towards us;  we are almost inside the Kaurava formation.
Daruka looked around bewildered, realising the foolishness of following Bhagadatta into Kaurava's trap.

In a distance Bhishma was visible , looking humongous and dominating like an predator narrowing down its prey. Karna was now surrounded by both Pandava soldiers and Kaurava soldiers . The trouble was that the Kaurava soldiers were mostly Rathi class warriors almost crowding him from all sides and his own side was just few foot soldiers who wouldn't be able to stand a ground against a throng of Rathi warriors and a maharathi.

Daruka now!!
Karna roared at Daruka . While he countered a volly of arrows that rained upon them from all sides.

Daruka diligently pulled the reins to direct the horses towards right, then to left and then in circles- around Suprathika. The divine horses neighed in discomfort at the odd angle , but obliged to its rider nonetheless. They went rampage around the gigantic Elephant, kicking off dust and mud in their path. The wheels raged in fury, mirroring the battle rage of the Maharathi residing on it.

Karna twisted his torso in a regular pace , matching the trajectory of his moving chariot to conveniently aim the stationed elephant in the middle.
It was getting hard for Bhagadatta to counter every arrow that flew at him from all directions. The fast chariot that raged around Suprathika , blocked any chance of external support for Bhagadatta. A curved headed arrow- specifically crafted to cut off someone's head - surged past Karna's bowstring , and hit the mahout on mark. The limp body of the man fell of the howdah - headless.
Blood splattered and Suprathika grew anxious.

Bhagadatta sensed the unrest of the situation he was in. Daruka kept the horses going on circles and Karna knocked arrows after arrows in both directions - towards Bhagadatta and to the opposite direction to block out any external help that could reach Bhagadatta.

Finally when the King had enough, he jumped off of his elephant with a spear. Challenging Karna for a spear fight.

Daruka halt!
Karna said.
The chariot came to stop. The horses slowed down near Bhagadatta. And Karna jumped out of his chariot with a spear as well.
Bhagadatta was a giant himself, taller and broader than Karna. The king towered over Vasusen , with his spear held in a decisive grip .

Then the clash ensued.
Karna slipped to his left , while blocking a strike of Bhagadatta's spear's shaft by the end of his own spear's shaft,  And pushed the sharp edge of his spear forth , when he found an opening at his opponent's right . Bhagadatta withdrew backwards with a spin , deflecting Karna's attack with his arm secured in a gauntlet. But the sharp edge still slightly graced Bhagadatta's forearm.
Karna ducked in a crouching posture when Bhagadatta's spear shaft came rushing towards his temples, and spun his spear in force to hit the other's knee. The spear shaft found its mark and Bhagadatta's knee buckled under the power of the hit.

But Bhagadatta's spear pushed at Karna's shoulder in such force that he stumbled back to the mud with a dull thud. When Bhagadatta was to strike with the sharp edge of his spear , karna blocked it with his spear and held his ground on one knee. It was a herculean task to hold back Bhagadatta's might,  while even the  gravity stood against you . A bright light emerged from Karna's torso when Bhagadatta's spear was to make contact with Karna's left shoulder blade.

A golden armour with the brilliance of a thousand suns, emerged magically beneath the metal hauberk he wore. It glittered enigmatically under the sunlight, blinding Bhagadatta. Karna flipped his spear to his right over Bhagadatta's spear and knocked the King on his head while rising to his feet.
Bhagadatta stumbled back and Karna kicked him on his chest , rendering him sprawled in the dirt beneath.

The warriors surrounding them gaped at the scene. The golden armour magically melted back into his skin and Karna stood tall infront of Bhagadatta , waiting for the King to raise to his feet.  Bhagadatta grew annoyed. He pranced at the Suryaputra with bare hands, his spear now abandoned in the mud below.
Karna blocked the attack with the hem of his spear and forced Bhagadatta to back down and accept defeat. But the king remained unyielding. That's when shakuni reached the scene as backup for Bhagadatta. Shakuni's men raised their bows , ready to shoot arrows.

Karna kicked Bhagadatta on his knee. Dislodging his grip and slipped himself to the side and gripped Bhagadatta's shoulder in a tight hold , flipping him off the ground and smashing the King hard against the floor with a resonating thud . Bhagadatta groaned in pain. And without missing a beat Karn lodged the spear's metal edge through Bhagadatta's shoulder - pinning him down. The king screamed in agony. Meanwhile ,shakuni's bowmen rode into vicinity and released their arrows together ,their arrows clouding over Karna, thickly enough to block the sunlight passing through.

Daruka!!!
Karna shouted .
With his hands extended. Daruka drove closer in hurry and Karna jumped into the chariot grabbing the Vijaya. He pulled the string back with force and released the bowstring. The loud thunder that followed, turned the arrows into dust. That sound resonated across the battlefield like a warning.
_______________________________

Bhagadatta was on the verge of dieing  when Shakuni's men found him pinned to the ground , in a pool of his own blood.  Bhagadatta was taken back to the tent while Gandhar's battalions circled Karna, withholding him from chasing the retreating group.
Then came Bhishma, searing through the sea of soldiers with his bow held in a strong grip. His conch shell resonating across the battlefield like the siren of death while he cut down all that came in his view. The white chariot dragged by 5 white horses pushed through the formation to reach Karna.

But before Bhishma breached the line of soldiers of Gandhar that now surrounded Karna from all sides, Gandiv's twang was heard before Arjuna came into view. Panchajanya's divine energy coursed through the battlefield while Arjun cleared their path towards Bhishma with resolve. Krishna sped the unkillable horses into the middle of the ruckus. He glanced towards Karna and smiled in assurance . Karna nodded with gratitude for the time they bought for him, before facing Bhishma.

Shakuni - the strategic illusionist

The battle between the warriors of Gandhar and Karna raged on. Brothers of Shakuni who were all Rathi class warriors grouped against Karna. Their astras and shastras were all countered by Karna with ease. But Vaikarthana noticed that they all slithered in and out of the front line and didn't advanced further into the fight. Their steps were calculated and deliberate to make him tired.
That's when Karna realised that Gandhar's battalions were trying to drain him as much as possible before the inevitable battle with Bhishma began . And Karna grew furious.

He shot crow- headed arrows embedded with his spiritual energy to kill their horses , shatter their chariots and kill their charioteers , rendering them out of any means to move out of his sight.
Then one by one shakuni's brother's were killed at Karna's hand, with their head detached from their torso , or by their heart pierced by an arrow.

Shakuni who was at the middle of the army ranks - boiled with rage , seeing his kin being slayed mercilessly.
Shakuni urged his chariot further into the front line to face Karna.

Meanwhile , Gandhar's army faced massive loss at Karna's hand , their army strength shrunk in multitude, Commanders and major warriors all slain while the rest of the soldiers forsaken the battlefield and ran to save their lives.

Shakuni exploded into the front line with vigor , the King of Gandhar raised his bow and began to summon celestial astras against Karna.
Karna countered each without fault. And shakuni grew restless.

Then at an unexpected note, Shakuni well crafted illusions took hold of the fight. The sun suddenly went down the horizon and time stilled around Karna , then the sun rose again in few minutes. Karna became confused at the sight as , dusk and dawn followed eachother in succession within the span of minutes. Realising it as the splendor of Shakuni's illusion, Karna focused on the exchange of astras that went on with shakuni , in dark and daylight. Shakuni was astounded when Karna countered his arrows even in the darkness while Shakuni had all the advantages of the afternoon sun that blazed on the zenith.

When Shakuni understood that Karna could easily end this fight even amidst the illusions he weaved, the king of Gandhar recalled his illusion to not waste his energy further.
Karna gave a dazzling smile to his father when he found him at the right place again. And with a smug grin Vrisha shattered Shakuni's chariot and killed his horses with 3 arrows knocked out of his bow simultaneously.

Shakuni's pursuit didn't ended their. He summoned clubs ,iron balls, rocks, darts, lances, maces, spiked bludgeons, scimitars, axes and sharp broad arrows with his illusions upon Karna from all sides.
But karna didn't flattered , he obliterated them all with his skillful arrows.
Then with his illusions Shakuni created pitch darkness around Karna's car.
While Karna used Jyotishka weapon to dispel the darkness created by Shakuni’s illusions.
Along with darkness, Shakuni  created frightful waves of water and to counter it Karna used Aditya weapon drying up the waves of water.

Gandharraj continued creating more illusions and Karna repeatedly repulsed it with his weapons. Seeing that there was no way he could stand a proper ground against Karna, shakuni turned for help.

When Karna saw that Shakuni was to escape the battlefield with the help of another rathi warrior, karna dispelled an arrow aimed at Shakuni's hand that once rolled the dice against his brothers.  It hit the mark and Shakuni shrieked in agony. While the last few Gandhar warriors fled the seen along with their injured king.

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No. Of words: 3990

This chapter came out to be longer than I expected. Fffewwww...
I feel tired after writing this 😂 and our boy Karna is still on the battlefield ( my guy got some real stamina).

Anyways .. I planned to write Bhishma's and Karna's fight in this one and conclude day 2 within this chapter, but it didn't happened. It's already so long ,I will right their duel seperately in the next chapter!! I am excited.. are you 🌚?!

Hope you all had a good time reading this.
It took me a long time to put it into this form , so please try to appreciate my efforts through a vote and a comment ☺️
Thankyou for you support again !
Take care 💕
Har har Mahadev!!