In a universe where every living being—from the smallest insect to the ancient, sentient trees—possesses extraordinary superpowers, there lives a boy named Shiva. In this world, planets fight for survival, and humans can cultivate their abilities to live for thousands of years, eventually ascending to the status of gods.
But Shiva is different. He is "The Forgotten One." Despite being born into a family of immense power and authority, Shiva has no supernatural gifts. He is a mortal in a world of immortals, a silent echo in a world of roaring energy.
The Burden of Mortality
While the average person in this world lives for 1,000 years and those with superpowers live for 10,000 or more, Shiva’s lifespan is that of a regular human—less than a century. His father, a powerful ruler who owns entire planets as property, is deeply worried about his son’s survival in a universe that values strength above all else.
Shiva’s father knows that without a superpower, his son cannot defend himself. To ensure Shiva’s protection for the few years he has, the father orchestrates a political marriage rooted in an ancient peace treaty between two rival authorities.
A Marriage of Strategy
The chosen bride is Parvati, the daughter of his father's greatest rival. Parvati is a master of her craft, spending her days in deep meditation to enhance her formidable superpowers. Her father, fearing a war that could wipe out millions, agrees to the match only because the treaty demands it.
"If we do not agree, the war will start again, and millions will perish," Parvati’s father warned her.
Parvati initially views Shiva with a mix of pity and confusion. To her, a man without power is an anomaly. She moves to Shiva’s planet, which is heavily guarded by soldiers to protect the "useless" prince. Shiva lives like a prisoner in his own home, surrounded by treasures and guards, yet lacking the one thing that matters in their society.
The Power of a Mortal Soul
Living in separate rooms like friends rather than a couple, Parvati begins to observe Shiva’s daily life. She watches him read books and attempt to fish in a pond where even the fish have superpowers that occasionally strike him down.
Despite his constant failures and his fragile body, she notices something she has never seen in her world of gods and warriors: A powerful will and a genuine laugh.
- Resilience: Even when the world (and the fish) beat him down, Shiva gets back up with a smile.
- Joy: He finds happiness in simple things, a concept foreign to those obsessed with cultivating power.
- Kindness: He treats Parvati with immense respect, never demanding she be anything other than herself.
Slowly, the goddess of power finds herself drawn to the boy without any. She stops focusing solely on her meditation and starts following him, curious about the source of his inner strength. For the first time, Parvati feels a spark of joy—not from a new power, but from watching a mortal embrace the beauty of a short, simple life.
The Silent War
Shiva’s father’s plan seems to be working. By tying Parvati to his son, he has secured a protector who will defend Shiva for as long as he lives. But the tension between the two families remains high. Shiva’s father is betting everything on the hope that Parvati will learn to protect Shiva not out of duty, but out of a love that transcends superpowers.
Reflecting on the Story
Shiva's journey reminds us that in a world obsessed with "more"—more power, more time, more status—there is a unique strength in simply being human. Sometimes, the most extraordinary thing you can do is find joy in the ordinary.
What do you think? Is Shiva truly "useless," or does he possess a power the gods have forgotten? Let us know in the comments!
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