(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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After Five years...
Five years had passed.
On the surface, the River Ganga flowed as it always had—calm, sacred, eternal.
Pilgrims prayed by the sages, peoples or others.
Kings crossed. The world moved on.
But deep beneath—Within the hidden domain of the river goddess—A different world thrived.
A world where currents danced instead of rushed…Where creatures lived without fear…Where time itself felt softer.
And at the center of it—Chaos.
A small figure darted through the water like a streak of mischief.
Jet-black hair flowing behind him. Bright green eyes glowing with life and promised mischief.
A five-year-old boy.
Clinging tightly—
To the tail of a very distressed crocodile.
"FASTER!"
The crocodile swam in confused circles, its dignity long abandoned.
Fish scattered in all directions.
Snakes slipped away cautiously.
Even the currents seemed unsure whether to flow… or watch.
Nearby—Floating with arms crossed—Was Goddess Ganga.
Her expression? Strict. Or at least… Trying to be.
"Devaratha!"
Her voice flowed like the river itself.
"Get down. This instant."
The boy turned mid-ride. Still holding the crocodile's tail.
"...."
And did the unthinkable. He stuck out his tongue.
"Blehh~"
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
A moment passed...
Then—Ganga's lips twitched like she was controlling something. And she lost.
-Twitch!
A soft laugh escaped her, gentle and warm, echoing through the waters.
"This child…"
Devaratha spun once more before letting go, flipping effortlessly through the water and landing before her with a grin.
-Grin!
"It was slow," he complained.
Behind him, the crocodile fled the scene like it had just survived a war.
Ganga shook her head, though her eyes held nothing but affection.
"At this rate, even the creatures of my river will begin avoiding you."
"They love me,"
Devaratha replied confidently.
A small fish bumped into his shoulder as if agreeing.
-Bump!
Ganga sighed looking at the little tyrant before her. But her voice softened.
"Come. It is time to eat."
Devaratha froze hearing her words.
"…What did you make?"
A faint smile curved on her lips.
"Your favorite."
That was enough.
"FOOD!"
He shot forward shouting like a power ranger or an arrow, leaving trails of bubbles behind him.
As he moved ahead—Something flickered within him.
Not a memory. Not a thought. Just a feeling.
A strange fear which has been rooted from the very moment he opened his eyes.
'…What if this disappears?'
He didn't know why that thought came.
He didn't know where it came from. But it lingered.
Because this—This warmth. This laughter.
This presence—It felt too precious. Too fragile.
As if it could vanish the moment he stopped believing in it.
"...."
He slowed. Just slightly. Then turned back.
Ganga was watching him. Not as a goddess. Not as a ruler of a sacred river.
But as—A mother. Their eyes met. She smiled.
And something inside him—Quietly settled.
The fear didn't vanish. But it softened.
He turned away quickly.
"Come fast! Mom I'm starving!"
His voice returned to its usual energy.
Bright. Carefree.
As if nothing had happened.
Ganga followed looking at the her son.
Silently.
"...."
Her gaze lingered on him for just a moment longer.
'…Stay like this… just a little longer.'
Meanwhile inside Devaratha's body, Beyond sight.
Beyond even divine perception—Something stirred.
A mechanism. Ancient. Patient. Preparing to awaken.
[⚖️ System Name "Karma Genesis System"]
[🔹 Core Function:
Earn Karma Points by: Changing fate, Influencing lives, Altering key events, Spend points to obtain:
->Abilities
->Weapons
->Summons
->Knowledge...ETC...]
[⏳ Status: Activation in: 01:00:00]
Unseen. Unheard. But is Ticking.
Meanwhile...
Devaratha sat beside Ganga, happily eating, talking endlessly.
For now—He was not a variable.
Not a chosen existence. Not the balance of three gods.
Just—A child.
And for the first time—He allowed himself to believe—
'…This… is mine.'
The meal had ended.
Devaratha sat content, small hands resting against his lap, bubbles lazily drifting upward as he let out a satisfied sigh.
Ganga watched him quietly.
A faint smile lingering.
"Full?"
He nodded eagerly.
-Nod
"Very!"
She reached forward, brushing a stray strand of his wet black hair aside.
"Good."
A brief silence followed.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Calm. Comfortable.
Then—Devaratha shifted slightly.
"…Mom?"
Her gaze softened instantly.
"Hmm?"
He hesitated. Just for a moment.
Then looked up at her—Eyes bright. Hopeful.
"Can I… go outside?"
The words were simple.
But they rippled through the water like a stone dropped into stillness.
Ganga froze hearing his request. Not visibly.
But inside—Something tightened.
"Outside…?"
Devaratha nodded quickly.
-Nod
"I want to see… other people."
A pause.
"…Humans."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
The currents slowed.
For five years—She had kept him here.
Safe. Hidden. Untouched by the world above.
Not even Devavrata[1] knew.Not even the kingdom.
Because the world… Was not gentle.
And he—He was too precious. Too important. Too… hers.
Ganga looked away slightly.
"...."
"The world outside is not like this place."
Her voice was calm. But firm.
"There are dangers. People who do not understand. People who harm… even without reason."
Devaratha listened to her calmly. But his eyes didn't dim.
Instead—They softened.
And then—He stepped closer.
"I'll be careful."
A small voice. But steady.
"I promise."
Ganga didn't respond immediately.
"...."
Because promises—From children—Were fragile things.
And yet…
He looked at her. Not demanding. Not stubborn.
Just… Asking.
With those wide green eyes that held both innocence…
And something she could never fully understand.
A long silence passed.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Then—Ganga sighed. A soft, defeated sigh.
-Sigh!
"You will not give up, will you?"
Devaratha shook his head immediately.
"No!"
A pause.
"…Please?"
That did it.
Ganga closed her eyes briefly. Then opened them again. The resistance was gone.
"Fine."
Devaratha froze hearing her.
"…Really?"
She nodded looking at her stunned son.
-Nod
"...."
And in the next second—He exploded with joy.
"YES!"
He spun in the water, laughter echoing around them, bubbles bursting like tiny celebrations.
Ganga couldn't help it.
She laughed too.
-Chuckle!
"Wait."
He stopped mid-spin.
Her expression shifted slightly.
Still gentle—But now carrying weight.
"There is a condition."
Devaratha straightened instantly.
"I'll do it!"
She almost smiled again.
"Listen first."
He nodded quickly.
-Nod
Ganga moved closer. Her gaze steady.
"Be careful."
A pause.
"Not everything outside is kind. Humans… are the most unpredictable of all."
Devaratha blinked.
"More than crocodiles?"
Ganga exhaled softly.
"Much more."
That answer stayed. She continued.
"Do not trust easily. Observe before you act. And if you ever feel danger…"
Her voice softened.
"Return to me immediately."
Devaratha nodded seriously this time.
-Nod
"I will."
Ganga studied him for a moment longer.
Then finally—She stepped aside.
The path upward opened. The surface. The world. Waiting.
Devaratha looked up.
Light shimmered above like a distant sky calling him.
Excitement surged. He turned once more.
"Mom!"
Ganga looked at him.
He grinned at her happily.
-Grin
"I'll be back!"
And before she could respond—He shot upward.
Like an arrow released from stillness.
The waters parted as he swam.
Faster. Higher.
Closer—To a world he had never seen in this life.
Ganga watched him go. Silently.
"...."
Her expression unreadable.
But her fingers tightened slightly.
"…Come back safely."
She didn't say it aloud.
But the river carried it with him.
And above—The surface rippled.
As Devaratha's head finally broke through—For the first time—He saw the sky.
From now on—He was Devara.[2]
The surface broke behind him with a soft ripple.
Water streamed down his small frame as he stepped forward—Out of the river…
And into the world.
His feet touched the wet sand. He paused.
"…It's warm."
A strange sensation spread through him.
Different from water. Different from anything he had known.
Each step felt heavier.
Real. Grounded.
He walked slowly at first—Looking around with wide, curious eyes.
The sky stretched endlessly above him. Blue. Vast. Alive.
"…So this is outside…"
The wind brushed against his face.
Carrying scents he couldn't name.
Then—Voices. Laughter.
Devara turned.
Under a large tree nearby—A group of children had gathered.
Playing. Talking. Arguing.
He moved closer quietly. Curiosity pulling him forward.
"…I heard milk is sweet!"
"Really? My mother says it's good for strength!"
"No, it tastes weird!"
The children debated passionately—As if discussing something incredibly important.
Devara tilted his head.
"…Milk?"
The word meant nothing to him.
Among the group—One boy sat slightly apart.
Calmer. Quieter.
On his forehead—A small, crystal-like formation rested.
Shaped like a third eye.
The other children turned to him.
"Hey Ashwatthama! You know, right?"
"Yeah! Tell us! Do you like milk?"
The boy—Ashwatthama—looked at them. Then blinked. Confused.
"…Milk?"
A pause.
His voice was simple. Honest.
"I… don't know."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
The other kids frowned.
"What do you mean you don't know?"
Ashwatthama looked down slightly.
"I've never had it."
The words were quiet. But they carried something heavy.
The group fell silent.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Awkward. No one spoke for a moment.
And from behind them—Devara stood still.
Watching. Listening. Something stirred inside him.
The name struck him.
Ashwatthama.
Devara stilled. Something stirred within him—Memory
A man who would one day stand at the edge of destruction…
And be cursed by Krishna himself.
And yet—Right now? He was just a boy.
Sitting quietly. Saying he had never tasted milk.
Devara watched him.
'…So this is how it begins…'
For a brief moment—He hesitated.
Then—He made a decision. He stepped forward.
Crunch.
The sound of footsteps over dry leaves broke the moment.
The group of boys turned. And froze.
Standing before them—Was a boy their age.
Jet-black hair still slightly damp. Green eyes that seemed… different. Clothes finer than anything they had seen.
Small ornaments and jewels catching the sunlight.
He didn't look like them.
He looked like—Someone who didn't belong here.
The children stared.
Wide-eyed. Speechless.
Devara felt their gaze. But didn't flinch.
Instead—He smiled. Simple. Open.
"Hi."
The word felt new on his tongue.
The boys blinked.
Devara placed a hand on his chest.
"I'm Devaratha. You can call me as Devara."
Silence.
He looked at them all.
Then asked—
"Do you want to play with me?"
For a moment—Hope lingered in the air.
Then—It broke.
The boys glanced at each other. Then at his clothes.
His ornaments. His presence.
And something shifted in their eyes. Not curiosity. Distance.
Without a word—One stepped back.
Then another.
And suddenly—They ran.
Feet kicking up dust as they disappeared into the distance.
Gone. Just like that.
Devara stood there. Blinking. Caught off guard.
"…Oh."
He didn't chase them. Didn't call out. He just watched.
Trying to understand.
'…Did I say something wrong?'
A small pause.
Then—He noticed.
One boy hadn't moved. Still sitting. Still watching.
Ashwatthama.
Their eyes met. No fear. No hesitation.
Just curiosity.
Devara smiled again. Softer this time.
He walked closer.
Step by step—Until he stood in front of him.
"You didn't run."
Ashwatthama tilted his head slightly.
"Why should I?"
A simple answer. Without weight. Without judgment.
Devara paused hearing his response.
"...."
Then—He asked.
"Will you… be my friend?"
The question hung between them.
Ashwatthama looked at him. Carefully.
At his clothes. At his eyes. At his strange presence.
Then looked away. Thinking.
A few seconds passed.
Then—He nodded.
-Nod
"Okay."
Just like that. No conditions. No hesitation.
Devara's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?"
Ashwatthama nodded again.
-Nod
"Yes."
A small smile appeared on Devara's face.
Bright. Unfiltered.
The wind passed gently between them.
And in that quiet moment—A bond formed.
Not between warriors. Not between legends.
But between—Two boys.
One who had everything.
One who had nothing.
And neither of them—Knew what the future held.
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(Author note:) This story was a heavy A.U and all those characters belong's to the OG creator of the epic. Except the Mc and Oc.
And I would never disrespect them.
I hope you guys give me your opinion and idea's.
WARNING: If you don't feel like you dislike A.U on Mahabharat then there is a chance you might not like the story.
And the story won't just follow the book or any serials.
It's A.U so might feel a mix kind of feeling. Bye guys I hope you enjoy the story.
PLAN: WEEKLY TWO CHAPTERS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review!!! And power stone too!!!
Guys it will motivate me more?
[1] Bhishma
[2] From now on Mc will be addressed as Devara. how others will be addressing him like a short name or alias. since his name is literally 75% similar to Bhishma's. since godess Ganga gave him that name which is partially similar to her son Bhishma. so further avoid any conflict with name Mc will be addressed as Devara. except someone who is close to him shouts at him angrily.