𝙉𝙞𝙮𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙞

●Chapter 34●Farewell●

If one thing Muruga was familiar in his long life of immortality, it will be grief. He was always grieving. Sure there were more happy moments than sad ones, it's the sad ones that remains etched in the memories forever.

Grief is like a wound that never fully closes. You can cover it, you can pretend it's not there, but every now and then, something will brush against it, and you'll feel it all over again.

He have seen loss. He have carried it on his back like a heavy sack of stones, each one a memory, each one a name he no longer get to call.

People tell you time will heal, but time only teaches you how to carry the weight differently. Some days, it's lighter. Some days, it crushes your chest until you can't breathe.

He had lost family. He had lost friends. And sometimes, he had lost myself in the middle of it all.

But he had also learned-grief is not just about what is gone; it is about what remains. The love, the lessons, the laughter that still echoes in my mind.

And Muruga carried all of it with him.

If grief has taught him anything, it is this: we do not move on from the ones we love. We move forward with them, in every step, in every breath, in every whispered prayer.

But the news Sage Naradha delivered hit him harder than he expected. He controlled himself from breaking down.

He told himself, 'I can't afford to be weak right now.'

He didn't cry when his Gurumata literally begged him to let it all out saying that bottling up everything his emotions is not good.

But he remained stone faced and said, "I will get over it Gurumata. I always do."

The God of War was no stranger to hurt and separation and he will get over it like every other time.

Atleast that's what he told himself.

Right now, his focus should be on making connections in the mortal world. He will not live here as a powerless man. No that won't help anyone or himself. He have to make allies and connections which will help him in the future.

The God of War could feel it in his bones, tough times are coming and he should be prepared in every way he can. He was not a celestial being anymore and he couldn't protect his sister like before. So by making allies he could protect his sister better.

And before all that he need to heal, both physically and mentally. The abrupt change from being immortal to mortal has taken a toll on his mind and body. Adding to that his wounds from the fight with Lord Jayanta.

He needs to be in his full strength before implementing his plans. And after lots of discussion with his Gurudev, he suggested a healer who is living in the outskirts of Hastinapur.

And today he was prepared to leave. But he wanted to see his sister one last time, he didn't know when he will see her again.

So with the permission of his Gurudev he stepped inside the room of his sister. And God he was not ready for that site.

His sister was unconscious but the large bandage over her head did not go unnoticed by Karthikeya. He swallowed the lump in his throat and approached her bed slowly.

He kneeled beside her bed and held her hand. His touch was gentle, afraid that he will break her more.

He whispered, his voice filled with pain and longing, "Isha..."

Karthikeya couldn't undergo another separation from his sister. The worst thing is, even if they meet in the future, which they will, as he couldn't be away from his sister so long, he couldn't reveal that he is her brother.

She will call that Prince of Panchala her brother while her Karthi will be a stranger to her. Jealousy filled his veins as he imagined her sister calling that fire born as "Brother".

He kept all that thoughts aside and looked at his sister's face again. She looked peaceful, serene, almost untouched by the nightmares of her past. But he knew this peace was an illusion and it won't last long.

He gently caressed her head minding her injury and whispered, "You shouldn't have remembered," his voice breaking. "Atleast not like this... Not in fear."

He continued, the steady pulse of his sister grounding him, "They told me I shouldn't interfere. They tried to reason with me but I couldn't stop myself when I saw you fighting the demons of your past."

"I let you fall once. I won’t again. Even if I have to bear this curse a thousand lifetimes."

He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, fingers lingering as though memorizing her face all over again.

"You were my sister. You are my sister. My fiercest light. My laughter. My chaos. You were the other half of my soul. And after that day," he clenched his jaw tightly remembering the fateful day. "I have lost a part of myself."

He let out a shuddering breath and said softly, his voice laced with anguish, "I don't know when our paths will cross again. But know this Isha," his hold on her hand tightened. "I’m your brother, even if you don't remember me. And I would break the rules of Swarga all over again just to see you safe and happy."

He leaned in and rested his forehead over hers, her familiar warmth seeped through his body.

He whispered softly, "I don’t care what they take from me anymore," he said quietly, as if speaking it too loud would shatter what was left of him.

"My powers are gone. My immortality’s gone. But I can still be your shield."

His grip on her hand tightened faintly. A vow in that touch. Ancient. Sacred.

"I’ll protect you. With these mortal hands. With this small, human body. With every breath I’m allowed."

"Even if you never remember me… even if one day you look at me and see only a stranger… I’ll still stand in front of you when the world tries to hurt you."

"Because I am your brother — whether you acknowledge it or not. And protecting you is the last thing I have left that feels like truth."

He looked at her one last time, memorizing her face. He stood up unwillingly and whispered, "Rest, little sister. When I am back, I’ll guard your sleep. I’ll guard your life. I’ll guard every part of you until you’re strong enough to remember who you are."

And with one last look, Karthikeya left the room without looking back.

--
So Hi again folk! I know it's been a long time since I updated. I have been so caught up in my life that I didn't have the time to upload more chapters. I apologize for that.

Leaving all that, what do you guys think? The chapter is nice?

Karthikeya is moving to Hastinapur! Isn't that interesting?

And what do you think of him as a brother?

Comment about your opinions!

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Ramsri
xx