Empire of Righteousness (When it Ends)

Chapter 219 : Kurukshetra (Part 26)

After the dinner, Arjuna comes to Draupadi's tent to see his eldest. His heart heavy with conflicted emotions.

Arjuna knows they are in the point of war where they cannot return. They have tried everything but Karna won't leave Kauravs. Krishna went out of his way and offered marital relationship with Draupadi but Karna still refused.

Arjuna knows in a day or two, he will be burdened with the blood of his own brother.

"Pranipath, Jyesht!" Arjuna touches Yudhisthira's feet, "How are you today?"

"Jyesht Pitashree's wound is taking too much time to heal," Satanika comments, "He shouldn't have run to war field while he was still recovering."

"But he won't bled again, hopefully," Shrutasena says.

"Arjuna," Yudhisthira's voice is unusually stern.

"We are losing soldiers everyday," Yudhisthira's grits his teeth, "We have lost half of our children, Arjuna."

Arjuna looks at him, "Jyesht...what are...you ...."

"Do you go to war to dance there? Have you not gotten our of your eunuch state?"

Arjuna fists his palms. For some reasons Yudhisthira's tone and accusations today doesn't sit well with him.

"I told you days ago," Yudhisthira becomes angrier, "I want Maharathi Karna's head. Why are you dragging this? He is our eldest. Despite that, we have no other option than to perform our dharma. He is doing the same."

Krishna tries to calm Yudhisthira down. After today, it's clear Duryodhana and Karna is going to cause more disaster in war. After the humiliating way they were stopped today.

"Jyesht," Arjuna tries to speak calmly, "We are going through our plan. We know as long as Jyesht stands by Kauravs, Duryodhana won't lose. Today was different. Bhrata Bheema...."

"Quit giving excuses," Yudhisthira shouts at him.

In their fits of rage, what if their target becomes their sons? Prativindhya, Soma, Sena, Satanika, Kirti....

Yudhisthira is completely unwilling to take even the slightest risk in this way. He cannot risk the lives of his remaining sons.

Yudhisthira's frustration grows each second. He slams his fist on the table that has their formation set up.

"See, Arjuna! Look! We have so little soldiers left! If you did what I asked you to, maybe lots of lives would have been saved. Each day you come with excuses saying it isn't time. Do you plan to stay on war for years?"

Arjuna looks down. Anger slowly reaching his head. His eldest has insulted him with all his words.

"You are called the greatest archer of all time. All must be myths then. Not you nor your Gandhiva is worth anything!"

"Be aware!" Arjuna's voice thunders in the tent matching Yudhisthira's.

Arjuna storms taking a sword in his hand. He stands face to face with Yudhisthira.

"I have vowed to kill anyone who insults my Gandhiva," Arjuna yells angrily at his eldest's face, "Jyesht, have I been fighting for myself? I have lost almost all my sons in this war. I am still fighting. Despite my heart breaking into pieces each day, I am standing strongly with my bow. Still, you dare insult my integrity? My devotion and my weapon?"

Yudhisthira realizes his words were too harsh but it's too late.

"For whom this war has started? You bet on our kingdom. That kingdom which you don't have sole rights on. You bet on our independence. You bet on our wife. You lost each time and because of you we have this bloody war now," Arjuna chews his words.