Chapter 106 105. Real Friendship



Karna was standing there stunned not understanding how he could run into this legendary figure. A man who was said to have the power to end the whole war of both sides once angered, Not only that but also the famous trio of friends.

Karna was not sure how to handle this situation now, It was unexpected for him to meet Ashwathama. According to the original plot he was going to meet him when Duryodhana introduced Ashwatthama to him after the tournament to show the powers of the Princes.

So this is very unexpected, Karna falls into conflict about whether to do something or let the plot unfold on its own. Either way, they are going to have a warrior master of all in their camp.

"What…What is your other name?"

Karna asked, He didn't wanted to take the risk of identifying the wrong person, He knows that he didn't have too much knowledge about the characters of Mahabharata but he knows people close to Karna thanks to the fanfics he read, Hence he also knows the importance of Ashwatthama in his group.

But fanfic knowledge can't be taken too seriously. After all, it is fanfic, So he decided to confirm it. What if Ashwatthama is not the son of Drona and just the imagination of one author to give him character.

"Another name?...Oh, Forgive me for not saying it before. Most people call me Ashwatthama, The one who cries like a horse, It's said that when I was born I cried like a horse hence this name was given to me."

Ashwatthama stopped when he realised his mistake and then properly introduced himself. It's command courtesy to say the name you are mostly known for and give the reason why that name is used.

Of course, it's only applied to the lower party in the conversation, The one who has a higher standing be it in strength or status didn't have to do the same.

Ashwatthama knows this, And because he just saw what Karna did he put him in a higher position in the conversation and followed the suit on his own.

"*Whisper* So it's you, Lucky me."

Karna had a wide smile on his face when Ashwatthama confirmed his identity. Now that he knows he is The Ashwatthama, He definitely wants this gut to be in his team, There is no way he allows him to enter in the Pandava camp.

Karna knows the legend that says that when Ashwatthama gets angry other than Lord Shiva himself, No one can stop him. He doesn't want a man of this calibre in his enemy camps at all.

There is a high chance Niyathi will try to mess with here to fix unexpected things happening because of him, Karna never allows that to happen because that means he is going to die if the original plot is repeated.

"Did you say something, Mohoday? Sorry, I wasn't able to hear you."

Ashwatthama broke his thoughts. He was looking at Karna, not able to figure out why a man like him stopped him and asking questions. In his eyes, he also put Karna close to the Avatar of some god.

After all the charm he has not possible for any normal mortal being to ear has plus the power to take things out of thin air can only be pointed towards the divine powers, be it he is mortal or not, Karna definitely has a divine power.

"Nothing, didn't you just say that you owe me? Then I have something to ask you, I want you to be my friend, A real friendship."

Karna didn't waste any time. He really didn't want to risk it. He is well aware that one often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it. That's why he knows he has to be extra careful.

This is the reason why he asked Ashwatthama to be a friend of his, not a servant or slave, He knows with the promise Ashwatthama had given to him, He can indeed ask him to do that, And Ashwatthama being the person to do this time will have to keep his word.

But the problem was that he didn't have the guts to make the Shivansh (Part Of Lord Shiva) his slave or servant, The one who did it before did not end well. Doing that means keeping a ticking time bomb with him, Which denoted time is unknown.

So it's best to keep Ashwatthama as a friend, And this is a genuine wish of Karna not just because he sees profit in doing so, If Ashwatthama becomes his friend not only he can able to train him how to control his anger and harness his own destructive power.

But also it also helps him to learn how to keep calm even when all odds are against him, His anger which blinded him became the reason why he "lost" his battle with the Pandava camp.

If he controlled his anger, Then he was invincible, He who has an offence of his very powerful Astras and the defensive power of Gem on his forehead would have been unstoppable, He could have easily won or at least lived as a respect Chiranjeevi (Immortal) like others not like being rejected by everyone and cursed hated by masses.I think you should take a look at

Karna also wanted to change his Niyati. He wanted his friend to have a good ending. The one he got did not deserve that at all.

"Friendship? From me? Forgive me Mohodya but it's I am not capable of fulfilling your request, Friendship can only happen between two equals, I am nothing but a poor Brahaman, And you look like a prince, It's inappropriate for us to be friends."

Ashwatthama patiently stood there when he heard that Karna wanted to use the favor he owed him. He was glad Karna was using it this soon because he can't live under the unfulfilled debt.

But when he heard the request he was taken aback. He never thought that someone was going to ask him to be his friend. It's embarrassing to say it but he never had a human friend until now.

The reason being that friendship can only happen in equals, This was the reason given to him whenever wanted to play with the kids in his neighbourhood, And because he heard it too many times from different people, He now thinks this is the case.

Unfortunately, he is right with this one. In this time period, people only make friends with their equals. A hard-to-swallow truth but still a truth, Yes there are few who go against the norm but the vast majority follow this rule.

"Did you not hear what I asked? I said I wanted a real friendship, not a fake one like those people. In real friendship no matter your strength or social status, All people are equal by default.

And who said I am prince? I am a Suta, A son of a charioteer, who is from Shudra Varna (Servant Caste). With your logic my status is lower than you, A Brahaman, If that is the case, That means you don't want to be my friend.

After all, why would you be, You have that divine gem on your forehead and who am I? A nobody, A lowly Suta."

Karna spoke his counter to the words of Ashwatthama, Yes by his logic Karna was indeed become a lowborn and can't be friends with the respected and revered caste like BBrahman

On top of that, Ashwatthama was also born with the Gem, Which makes him immortal, That is a gift no one can compare to, Of course, expect him as his father is quite protective as long world will not be in danger and gave him the impenetrable armour and earrings made from immortal nectar, Amrit.

But others didn't know. Even though he didn't see his own armour but he knows it's there, System when shown his stats, tells that and gives proper details about his armour.

So it makes Ashwatthama the higher one here and has the right to decide whether to be friends with him or not, This way Karna just trapped Ashwatthama in his words because now it's under the control of Ashwatthama means he has to follow through because of his promise.

"....I- You really are Suta? I don't believe it."

Ashwatthama could not believe Karna was Suta. How can Suta have this divine thing, So he thought Karna was lying to him though he knew it can't be the case so why would Karna lie? It didn't make sense.

"Why would I lie? I am indeed a Suta. If you want we can go to my house and I will show you that I live in the Suta community with my parents."

Karna was prepared for this question and had a proper response ready for it. He just hoped to seal this deal, So he didn't have to worry about any unexpected things in future.

"You…you are Suta? But still, why do you want to be friends with me…Okay, I will be your friend, If you really want to be my friend, It would be an honour and fortune of mine to accept you as my friend."

Ashwatthama already knows Karna was not laying, He was dazed by his response, He always wanted to have a friend but no one wanted to be his, So he was really emotionally overwhelmed by this and was actually very happy to get a friend.

He with his trembling voice uttered these words fearing that will be rejected but also hoping it was true.

(A/N. : Like always thank you for reading and have a good day ?.)