The moment Dev slipped the bracelet onto his wrist and his blood touched its surface, a brilliant white light burst forth from it. The glow was sharp and blinding, filling the entire room. Dev froze in shock, staring at the bracelet in disbelief.
Then, from within the bracelet, a powerful and commanding voice echoed,
"Dev, you have done very well. Well done."
Hearing the voice, Dev flinched instinctively. Yet, even as fear coursed through him, something about the voice felt familiar—strangely known. Gathering his courage, he asked,
"Who are you? And how is your voice coming from this bracelet?"
As soon as he said that, realization struck him. His eyes widened. This voice—it was exactly the same as the one he had heard in his dream the previous night. He muttered under his breath,
"Are you… the same one who came to me in my dream last night? I know the question sounds strange, but everything happening in front of me right now is strange too."
In response, the same familiar voice resonated in his ears once again,
"That was not a dream. It was your own consciousness. All the questions that exist in your mind—I will answer them. For now, calm yourself."
Confused and overwhelmed, Dev replied,
"I don't understand most of what you're saying. But… fine. I'll stay calm."
The voice continued,
"Dev, you believe yourself to be an ordinary human being—but you are not. You have been reborn, and that rebirth has occurred for a very specific purpose."
Dev stood stunned, completely taken aback.
"What are you saying? Rebirth? Purpose? This sounds like something straight out of a movie."
The voice replied calmly, yet firmly,
"I am merely a medium to show you the truth. Whether you accept it or not is up to you. Now listen carefully—your name in your previous life was Mrityunjay. Maharaj Mrityunjay, the supreme and mighty king."
Dev reacted instantly, disbelief written all over his face.
"What kind of nonsense is this? Someone rejected by the world… how could he possibly have such a grand identity? This sounds ridiculous."
Unshaken, the voice answered with quiet conviction,
"Everything I am telling you is the truth. You were the invincible emperor of the Kaalrath Empire."
Taking a deep breath, Dev said slowly,
"If I truly was an emperor, then why am I like this now? Why was I reborn? And even if I was reborn—why was I given such a miserable life?"
The voice responded,
"My duty was only to make you aware of your truth. The answers to your remaining questions must be discovered by you yourself. I have come only to mark the beginning of your journey."
After a moment of thought, Dev said,
"Fine. Let's assume what you're saying is true. But at least tell me who you are—and why your voice is coming from this bracelet."
The voice replied,
"My name is Trivan. I am the medium through which you—King Mrityunjay—can be reminded of your true identity. As for why I have not appeared before you until now—it was commanded that I reveal nothing to you until you turned twenty-five."
The voice paused briefly, then chuckled softly,
"Oh! I almost forgot to wish you. Happy twenty-fifth birthday, Dev. Or should I say… Maharaj Mrityunjay."
Dev smiled faintly and said,
"Oh right… today is my birthday. I had completely forgotten. Thank you for the wishes. But how did you know it was my birthday?"
Trivan replied with a light laugh,
"You still don't understand? My existence is bound to yours. I am your guide. Knowing everything about you is my duty."
Dev nodded slowly and said thoughtfully,
"Now I get it. That must be why the same symbol that's on my back appeared on this bracelet—because it wasn't there before."
Trivan continued,
"As I said, now that you have turned twenty-five, it is time for you to learn the truth about yourself."
Dev asked,
"So the dreams I've been seeing all this time… they weren't just dreams?"
Trivan replied gravely,
"Not at all. They were memories from your past life—memories bound to your soul. For now, they are unclear and fragmented, but gradually, you will remember everything. Your powers as well."
Dev leaned forward eagerly.
"My powers? What do you mean? Did I really have powers? Like controlling wind or water?"
Trivan smiled and said,
"As I told you, King Mrityunjay was a supreme emperor. His control was not limited to wind or water—he had mastery over all five elemental forces."
Excitement surged through Dev's voice.
"Then when will I get those powers? And if I once had them, why don't I have them now?"
Trivan's tone turned serious.
"That is a very good question. Understand this—the energy that existed on Earth fifty thousand years ago no longer exists today. Why it vanished, you will learn in time. As for your powers—King Mrityunjay attained them through intense meditation and penance. Before his death, he sealed all his powers into eleven divine links. These links were hidden in different places across the world. One of them is now in your possession—currently taking the form of this bracelet."
Dev whispered in astonishment,
"Eleven divine links? So… do I have to find the remaining ten?"
Trivan replied,
"Exactly. First, through this bracelet, you will receive King Mrityunjay's knowledge and ideology. In the same way, the other links will grant you his remaining qualities. I will now tell you a mantra—chant it to absorb the energy of this link into yourself."
Trivan began reciting the mantra. Dev listened carefully. He didn't fully understand what was happening, and fear still lingered within him—but for some reason, there was undeniable truth in Trivan's voice.
As soon as Trivan finished, Dev sat cross-legged on the floor and began chanting the mantra. Within moments, the room echoed with the resonance of sacred vibrations. The most astonishing part was that Dev had memorized the mantra after hearing it just once—and his pronunciation was flawless. It felt as though he had heard these words long ago… in another lifetime.
What will happen next?
Will Dev gain the powers of the first divine link?
Is Trivan truly speaking the truth?
Is Dev really the rebirth of the great King Mrityunjay?
To find out—keep listening to FORGOTTEN EMPEROR