CHAPTER 1 (DEVA) First Story

In the eastern part of Tantra, there was a tribe situated in a region of vast fields and blessed with temperate climate. When the army of Mara was threatening to overrun Tantra, the tribe witnessed the birth of a miracle. They named him Prince Deva and they all knew he was destined for greater things.

Sadly, Deva’s mother died after giving birth to him. A few years passed and the new queen gave birth to another prince. Deva’s childhood was relatively normal and quiet. His stepmother wasn’t very fond of Deva and she made all efforts to discredit him to the king. His stepbrother was also very harsh to Deva but he was impervious to their maltreatment.

The prince endowed with special Mantra powers was completely oblivious to the brewing conspiracy against his ascendancy to the throne. His gaze was always fixed to unknown far-away lands, as if he was constantly daydreaming. He was caught up in his own imaginary, mystical world where gods frolicked and ruled.

About the time he learned how to speak, the prince was awoken by a horrible nightmare. His loud scream roused the nannies and servants and they immediately tried to calm him down.

He was shouting out:

“The Maras, maras….”

Perhaps the nightmare was a foreboding of things to come. The attack and plunder of Mara become more prevalent at the east side of Tantra. With the divine aid of mantra, the tribe was able to repulse the repeated raids of Mara. Peace and prosperity soon reverberated throughout the lands. It was apparent early on that Deva was blessed with a very powerful mantra. He was able to crush the Maras by his lonesome, a feat not even the elders could accomplish. Deva was hailed as the savior of the tribe, the boy who single-handedly thwarted evil. However, this development did not sit well with his stepmother and half-brother.

Deva had the undying gratitude of his tribe but this did not assuage his longing for his mother. His efforts to reach out to his stepmother was all for naught. He was experiencing a deep-seated loneliness, an anguish that was beyond words.

The voice from above would oftentimes call to him:

“You must leave Deva.”

“Your destiny lies elsewhere.”

“A different fate awaits you.”

“You should be one with those who have the same fate”

Another voice would also call out:

“You are the prince and a bearer of great powers.”

“Why would you live like a humble ascetic?”

“Learn to love and hold on to what you have now.”

The two voices were tearing Deva apart. Driving him to the brink of madness, unsure of which one to heed.

CHAPTER 2 (DEVA) Second Story

Soon, Deva turned 17. A year before his enthronement, the Maras made a daring raid into the innermost part of the kingdom. Everyone was completely caught unaware as this was the first time the Maras penetrated this deep into their territory. It was as if there was a traitor who aided the Maras in their attack.

Deva was the primary target of the attack. He was able to drive off the Maras but was seriously wounded in the ensuing melee. For the next few days, he lingered into unconsciousness as the tribe anxiously waited for his recovery. Everybody was in a state of shock, with the exception of his nefarious stepmother and half-brother.

To the utter amazement of everyone, Deva woke up after a month in a coma-like state. His eyes reflected the burning glow of someone with immense mantra power. As he stood up, he headed straight to the king and spoke:

“It’s time for me to leave”

The king was completely taken aback.

“Leave? Where are you headed? And why now?” the king asked.

“The gods beckon and I must go to where my destiny lies” he replied.

“Why are you leaving your land and your people Deva?” The king was perplexed by Deva’s plans.

The king’s plea was in vain. Deva had already made up his mind.

“This tribe is not the only land I’m tasked to protect.” Deva said.

“So where do you intend to go?” the king asked.

Without saying a word, he pointed to the sky and the vast tracts of land surrounding it. The king immediately understood. He was also aware of the rumor that the queen and her son were the masterminds behind the recent attack of the Maras. They wanted Deva killed in the ensuing melee. Fortunately, their insidious scheme backfired.

On the day Deva left for his quest, the king asked one final question:

“My son, what it is that you seek on your journey?”

Deva whispered his reply:

“To find the higher truth and meet the people who have been calling out to me”

Thus began the long and arduous odyssey of Deva. He traveled far and wide, crossing the continent by his lonesome.

From the time he left the kingdom, he was constantly under attack by the Maras. Adding to his troubles were the mysterious voices that were tormenting him throughout his journey. The Maras were a minor nuisance compared to the conflicting voices within.

“Deva! You must resist the Mara’s. Use your mystical powers to protect the Mantra.”

“No, Deva. You can have powers beyond your wildest dreams. Be the master of the Maras. You have the ability to be their lord, the Great Deva!”

His journey was a never-ending battle of soul searching. He was at the crossroads of his life, a time of great personal upheaval that would shape his destiny. He arrived at the Mandara highlands more tormented and confused than before.