The moon cast a silvery glow over the palace of Hastinapura, bathing the sprawling grounds in a soft, ethereal light. The recent transformation of Duryodhana and the shifting allegiances had left a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. The characters knew that the coming days would be pivotal in determining the course of their shared destiny.

In a quiet corner of the palace, Shivani, Advika, and Karna were deep in conversation. The garden they were in was serene, the only sounds being the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of nocturnal creatures.