Days were passing by fast. Drisana was still waiting for Krishna. Though the idea of returning didn't appeal her much anymore. Kunti reminded her too much of her own mother. But she was nowhere near as obedient as pandavs. The woman literally lived for her sons and irony was she abandoned her first child.

Today they came to the temple as mata Kunti was performing some puja for late king Pandu and his second wife Madri. After that they were going to donate clothes and gold coins and later a feast would follow.

Drisana had decided just before she went back to kaliyug, she was going to strangle purochans wife. That woman even tried to follow her into the snangrah (washroom) once. It wasn't like someone would punish her for the murder of a woman who existed 5157 years before.

After completing the puja, donation and bhoj, they returned to the palace. Yudhisthir was looking tensed.

"What happened jyesth? You're looking worried."asked Arjun.

"I was thinking about kakashree Vidurs message. What could it possibly mean?

'Fire cannot extinguish the soul but can annihilate the material body. But one who protects the soul lives.'

He sent this message in Mleccha language which is only known by Sahdev among us. It is a clear indication, he only wanted us to know and didn't take the risk of it getting into wrong hands. " Yudhisthir said.

"When was the message sent? " Asked Nakul.

"Just before we left for the temple. I intended to tell you after returning." Yudhisthir replied.

"This must mean something important but what? " asked Sahdev.

"Duryodhan must have planned something against us again." Bheem said.

They were all thinking about the message.

On the other side, being annoyed with purochans wife Drisana went to her room and was thinking about when Krishna was coming back to take her and what she was doing here. She had bonded so well with this family like she knew them forever. She could get along with people just fine, but this was the first time that she formed any kind of bond with someone apart from her parents. The thought of living them actually pained her. But she had to leave. She didn't belong here.

Nakuls face came in front of her eyes. He had been patient with her, looked after her. Even though he couldn't understand her language, he'd understood her more than anyone apart from the time when she was asking for phone. She chuckled remembering that time. He was looking so cute with a confused and helpless look not knowing what to do. And those times when she refused to drink that gross mixer that he forced her to drink. She caught up that it was for her injuries. But she still couldn't stomach it. She had run at the opposite direction at the sight of it at his hands. She'd tried to hide and everytime he would find her somehow and make sure she drank it. Like he had nothing better to do. Who wouldn't want such a sweet and caring man? Combined with his amazing sword skills, that was quite a tempting package. If it was back home, she'd definitely date a man like him. But it wasn't and she was supposed to leave and he was going to marry Draupadi. That thought soured her more than anything.

She was brought back from her thoughts with loud sounds. She rushed out of her room to the dining area where all the pandavs had gathered to check the matter. Kunti was frozen in place as purochans wife held her hands at her back and one of Purochans men was holding an axe at her throat.

"Mata!!!"

All of them were shocked.

"How dare you to touch our mata?" Bheem asked seething in anger.

"You've called upon your death." Nakul said equally as angry.

Purochan and his men had sneaked into the palace to kill the pandavs and set it on fire. Initially he was waiting for the right time to set the palace on fire. However, last night he received Duryodhans order to immediately finish them and dissappear from here along with his men and family forever. So he asked his wife to bring Kunti making some excuse. As soon as she came with his wife, they took her hostage. Purochan wasn't an idiot. He knew even one of the pandavs was enough to beat him and his men. But with their mother at his mercy, they wouldn't lift a single finger. Meanwhile he would slit their throats open and set the palace in fire leaving Kunti and Drisana inside with their bodies.

Drisana's thoughts were scattered around. She was numb from the shock.

Purochan chuckled at the threats.

"Don't you dare to do anything or your mata won't breath any longer. " He threatened.

Purochan looked at Drisana and signalled one of his men. That man started towards her with a knife in hand. Nakul tried to step in front of her. But stopped when purochan pointed at Kunti and shaked his head. That man stepped behind Drisana and holding the knife at her neck pushed her towards Kunti.

"What do you want? " Yudhisthir asked calmly even though his eyes were red in anger.

"Nothing much. Just you five dead." Purochan said with a smile.

"Purochan!!!" Bheem roared.

"Let mata and Drisana go." Yudhisthir said.

"Yes, I let them go and be dead. Do you take me for a fool yuvraj? I promise you that I won't harm them if you listen to me or their throats will be slitted." Purochan said. "Get on your knees. Hurry up!"

Seeing no other way around it, Yudhisthir sat down on his knees. " You've promised not to hurt them." He said.

"Of course, I always keep my promises." Purochan said with a serious expression.

Getting their jyesth's indication that they had to obey to save their mother and Drisana, the rest of them also sat down on their knees. They were all trying to think of some way to safely get out of the situation. Through eyes Arjun signalled Sahdev. He was the closest to Kunti. Purochan was thinking he was winning. So taking the opportunity, Sahdev would rush to Kunti while the rest of the pandavs got rid of Purochan and his man. There was very slight chance of getting both Kunti and Drisana unharmed. But they had to take it.

Purochan signalled his men and they started towards the pandavs, each grasping a knife.

This was the time Drisana snapped out of her shock. Hell would freeze over before she would let him blackmail them with her. She pulled the arm holding the knife at her neck downwards applying pressure on the nerves of his wrist with left hand and delivered her right elbow straight at his face, still grabbing his right arm with her left hand she grabbed the underside of his right upper arm and the man was lying on his back a second later.

No one could comprehend what happened. Taking the opportunity, Drisana wasted no moment in grabbing the axe held at Kunti's throat and delivered a kick to the man effectively knocking him from his feet. Purochans men got over the shock and attacked. Pandavs took no time in subduing them. Drisana turned towards Purochans wife who had already loosened her hold in shock and gave a well practiced punch. Either from the shock or the punch, she lost her sense.

All of Purochans men were dead or unconscious as Bheem crushed his skull in anger. The visual sickened Drisana, but she understood this wasn't the time to vomit. The palace was already in fire as the torches held by purochans men fell down. They ran towards the only exit point of the palace but fire had already spreaded there. They went towards the back thinking of breaking a wall to escape. But fire had reached there too. They were trapped.

"How has the fire spreaded so fast?" Bheem asked.

"Because this palace is made of lacquer. It's a death trap." Arjun said realising finally.

"That's what Kakashree Vidurs message meant." Sahdev noted.

"Arjun, you'll have to extinguish the fire. " Yudhisthir said.

Arjun nodded. All of them started to go to Kunti's room as it was in the middle of the palace and Arjun would be able to extinguish the fire safely there.

"Once we get out from here, I'll kill that Duryodhan with my hands. " Bheem said.

"You're right, bhrata Bheem. This time he has crossed all limits by trying to harm mata. He has to die for this." Nakul agreed.

"Give your permission to raise arms, jyesth. Duryodhan and his brothers will be wiped out." Arjun seethed.

Kunti stopped. Looking at her sons with a frightened expression. She had no doubt in her sons abilities. They were capable of keeping their words. But what after? Would Pitamah be able to watch his blood fighting among themselves? What would happen to Gandhari jiji? And what about Maharaj Dhritarashtra? How would they bear the loss of their sons? And Karna? If he tried to save Duryodhan, then her own sons would be against each other. No. She couldn't let that happen.

"Don't give permission, putra. " Kunti said looking at Yudhisthir.

"Mata?" Asked Yudhisthir. Though it pained him, he had to agree with his brothers. Duryodhan had crossed all limits.

"I don't want you to raise arms against Kauravs. I don't want war among brothers. And for what? Throne? Is it worth it? No, putra. We'll go far away from here. We will not return to Hastinapur. " Kunti said with determination.

"But mata, Duryodhan should be punished for his sins. We should return to Hastinapur. Pitamah and Maharaj himself will decide his punishment. " Arjun said.

"When has Duryodhan been punished? Maharaj Dhritarashtra don't see anyone else in front of his sons. And Gandharraj will make sure this doesn't lead back to Duryodhan. Pitamah will be bound by his righteousness. He won't get any punishment and again will make some plans to kill you." Kunti said crying miserably.

"Okay mata. We won't return to Hastinapur. For the world, Pandu putra will be dead." Yudhisthir said embracing her and soon the rest followed.

Drisana was watching with tears at her eyes.

"Bhrata Arjun, can't extinguish the fire then. They'll know we're alive. " Nakul said.

"How will we get out from here then?" Asked Sahdev.

"By digging a tunnel." Drisana said realising events were not in order. There was no tunnel already made. The pandavs have to do it.

Everyone looked at her and nodded. They rushed to Kunti's room and started digging at the floor with Kunti and Drisana watching. Drisana took thebedsheet and wrapped the few fruits, knife, silver glass and water vessel on it. She striped part of her veil and secured the mouth of the vessel. She grabbed Kunti's clothes from the chest putting it inside the makeshift bag of the bedsheet. Looking around the room for anything else, she braided her hair and put it in a bun. The walls had already started to caught fire, but the progress of the tunnel was slow as they were digging using bare hands and the silver plates that was in the room. Drisana thought fast. The tunnel took six months to dig by Vidurs men. There was no way they could dig it out in hours.

They were digging horizontally now. Nakul and Sahdev helped Kunti and her inside. It wouldn't take long for the ceiling to collapse and they would be trapped inside with the fire and choked in smoke. The brothers looked at each other realising the same thing.

"Bhrata Arjun, can't you make the tunnel using your bow? " asked Drisana hoping he could.

"Yes, I can. But we can't take our weapons with us. Or they will know we're alive. " Arjun replied.

"Jyesth has a good arm. I guess he can throw a bow instead of spear this time. " Drisana said.

All of them looked at her and Yudhisthir nodded.

"Arjun get your bow. We'll continue digging. Arjun will need more space to release the arrows. " Yudhisthir said.

Arjun nodded. He went out to get his bow as Sahdev waited for him outside. In the meantime, Bheem, Yudhisthir and Nakul continued digging.

Arjun and Sahdev returned after sometimes. There was burn marks all over him but he didn't seem to care. After digging enough space for Arjun to release the arrow, all of them stepped back. Arjun successfully made the tunnel releasing arrows. The ceiling would collapse anytime now. Yudhisthir threw the bow inside the palace as the rest of them moved deeper into the tunnel. They ran through the tunnel as fast as they could while the palace collapsed and the ground vibrated.