Murugan's life in the Malaysian fishing village was peaceful. He helped his adoptive parents, played with the village children, and learned to fish. Yet, deep inside, he always felt out of place—like a piece of him was missing.
Then, on the night of his 14th birthday, everything changed.
The sky was dark, but Murugan couldn't sleep. His body felt restless, as if something was calling him. He stepped outside, breathing in the salty night air, and walked toward the shore.
Then, he heard it.
A deep, booming voice, echoing in his mind.
"Remember who you are."
His head throbbed with pain. Suddenly, visions flooded his mind.
A grand palace, standing tall against the ocean.
The mighty Tamil warriors, practicing Silambam and Adimurai with unmatched skill.
His mother's warm embrace… his father's fierce gaze.
The tsunami, the screams, the palace collapsing.
A golden throne, now lost beneath the waves.
Murugan gasped, falling to his knees. His hands trembled, gripping the sand. His breath was ragged.
And then, he remembered everything.
He was not just a fisherman's son.
He was the prince of Kumari Kandam—a land now lost to the sea.
And worse… his people in Tamil Nadu were suffering.
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Chapter 4: The Call to War
The next morning, Murugan sat in silence, staring at the golden amulet that had always been with him. His adoptive mother, Siti, noticed his troubled expression.
"What is wrong, my son?" she asked gently.
Murugan clenched his fists. "I have to leave."
Siti's eyes widened. "Leave? But why?"
Murugan hesitated, then looked at her with determination. "I know who I am now. My homeland is not here. I was born in Kumari Kandam… and I must return to Tamil Nadu."
His father, a strong fisherman, placed a hand on his shoulder. "The land you speak of… is no longer what it was, my son."
Murugan looked up. "What do you mean?"
His father sighed. "Travelers speak of Tamil Nadu being ruled by foreign kings. The Tamil people are being arrested, their culture erased, their gods replaced. The land is not free anymore."
Murugan's blood boiled. His people were being oppressed? His ancestors' legacy was being destroyed?
No. He would not allow it.
He stood up, his heart pounding with purpose. "Then I will fight. I will reclaim our land and restore what was lost."
His parents exchanged worried glances. "You are just a boy, Murugan."
Murugan shook his head. "Not for long."
"Then where will you go?" his father asked.
Murugan turned toward the horizon, eyes fierce. "To learn. To train. I will master every martial art I need to win this war."
Thus began the journey of the lost prince of Kumari Kandam