1 The spark

"Before space existed, before there was anything, there was nothing No! Even long before nothingness, when there was simply nothing...he appeared. Many call him as the first Universal, others as a simple traveler but others believe in him as the God, the one who created everything, Uchu. He, a being out of any logic and rule, created from nothing the whole galaxy, but not as we know it now, it was just a big black spot that covered all its surroundings."

"From his blood he created his first two sons, the first, a young man full of goodness, kindness and compassion, while the other, a purely malicious, cold and ruthless being, named Haidon and Raiden respectively. Haiden had been blessed with the power to heal, with a light capable of illuminating everything, a power with which he created the stars and suns to always illuminate everyone. Raiden, on the other hand, obtained the simplest gift, the power to destroy, with his power he created black holes, death and chaos, to as-"

- "So he could generate hopelessness to all," I already know that part by heart, Rudolf I want to hear only the War!

-Je...When will you stop being so stubborn?

- When I grow up! Now go on with the story Rudolf.

Ephyra was the name of the girl of only 9 years old, who was tucked up in a bed, with the sheets up to her neck and with a blazing fire from the fireplace a few meters away, highlighted by orange hair, with a reddish-yellowish shade, or rather, orange. With eyebrows that are at a midpoint of thick and thin, without standing out too much, having a more brownish hue than her hair, and are perfect to highlight her eyes, whose golden hue makes them, at first glance, be considered beautiful. Such eyes match her hair, as this shade in the irises makes them look good in contrast to the orange of her hair. A small nose can be seen in the center of his face, on the sides of which his cheekbones are dotted with freckles, while in his lips we will see that the inner one has a more noticeable thickness than the upper one, however, they have a pale hue that makes them relatively confusing with his common skin, which is of a light tone.

Rudolf, on the other hand, is an adult of about 28 years of age, wearing a long brown poncho that covered his body, he was bald and, although he had a birch-colored beard that covered his entire neck up to a little below shoulder height, his baldness was the most noticeable feature. On the other hand the man possessed particularly thick and large hands, possessing between his palms a book, the same one that, until a few moments ago, he was telling the girl.

"After the birth of Uchu's last child, Dioricia, the catalyzing moment of the subsequent battle that defined our present, the first and last creation in which each of the gods participated, would occur. Uchu, being supported by his sons Raiden, Haiden, Mizaku (of wind), Irina (of water), Hagata (of earth), Ateros (of fire), Imai (The Fortress) and Dioricia (war), fabricated the only place capable of harboring life, the Earth, all together beginning to create every living thing in existence."

"It was in the creation of humans, however, that problems began to appear. The brothers simply could not agree on what form they would take, what they would look like and what kind of reasoning they would have. They were such discussions that, if it were not for Uchu, would have caused the destruction of the planet, but the father of all made the simple decision to make all coexisted with each other, being the main reason for the variety of races, dwarves, humans, elves, theriomorpho, demons, angels, all were born and no one object."

"In just 6 days everything was almost ready, plus the main thing was missing, a soul capable of helping them with their choices. While each of the races was capable of living, none could survive, they were beings incapable of feeling anything. That flaw in them gnawed at the gods, for in their infinite power they could not solve such a simple problem. How was this possible? What was missing for the gods to see?"

"Uchu knew what was happening, more he had to keep quiet, for he was aware that if he spoke everything would begin to fall apart."

"But there was no other option, the more time his children spent asking I know how to solve the problem, the less time he had left. Finally giving in, he gathered the 8 gods in the heart of a star."

"Although siblings, none of them got along particularly well with each other, they all hated each other, to a lesser or greater extent, no one liked being with each other, perhaps that was one of the reasons why it was that, when Uchu talked about how they should transform into souls, half of them did not accept. The very idea of joining their siblings was abhorred by them, but the other half told them that it was what they should do, that it was the solution their father had found."

"Led by Raiden, a fierce battle ensued. Brothers against brothers, god against god, such was their dislike that, even if they died, they were going to do everything they could not to be part with them. A war that lasted for hours, leaving everyone in a much inferior state to how they were before and, although it seemed that there was a winning side, there really was not. Uchu had sacrificed much of his power for when they were weak, his body, his power was divided into souls, souls that were spread all over the planet... and the end."

- Hey, don't lie, it's not final.

- Yeah, but you don't care about that, you just wanted to hear that part, or am I wrong?

- Right... hey Rudolf, is the story true?

Rudolf ends up getting up from his seat, closing the book while he looked at Ephyra with some doubt, the man's eyes were trying to avoid the fixed contact with the contrary's, but, no matter how hard he tried to avoid it, he would end up looking the girl in the eyes, starting to inflate his chest.

- Yes and no, no one can assure you that the story is true or false. What is a fact is that they existed, you possess a fragment of Uchu's soul, for example, you are nicknamed as universal and let me tell you that is very rare. On the other hand, I possess a fragment of Ateros.

- Mmm... I don't understand! Yes or no. It's that simple!

- I wish it was that simple, but it's not... hmmm... but just so you understand, yes, it's true, just some things didn't happen that way.

- Mmmm....okay Ah! A co-.

- No, no no no no.

The man, before the girl continued speaking, would cover her mouth with his right hand, at the same time he brought his left hand to the front of the girl's face, starting to move his index finger from one side to the other, as a sign that they were not going to continue.

- It's time to sleep, tomorrow I'll leave early and, if you want to help me, you'd better have all the energy you need because our work will not be easy at all.

- Well... Can I at least...

- No, go to sleep.

Having said that, Rudolf put out the fire that illuminated the interior of that humble hut. They were not extremely poor, but there was a noticeable lack of money. The wooden floor, which was rotting more and more every day, was cracking like glass, leaving, in turn, a rancid smell that made one weep. The door that kept creaking and was barely standing, the oak walls that, with a simple blow, were destroyed... but, in spite of everything, under that roof of straw and wood, both were happy, or at least to a great extent. Ah Ephyra did not mind this fact, least of all Rudolf, as long as she had something to eat every day, these problems were overcome.

Rudolf would end up tucking in the Ephyra, who just grabbed the sheets tightly and tucked herself in. The man let out a sigh at the stubbornness of the girl, for as much as he tried to help her, she prevented him from doing so, generating, followed by this, a small laugh from the older man. He messed up the girl's hair to, seconds later, leave his space, lying down on his "bed", a rectangular piece of wood with a wool mattress on it. Once on the mattress, she stretched out her hands until she reached for some wool sheets, with which she covered her entire body.

- Hey Rudolf, are you still awake?

- Sleep.

- You know, I was wondering... Do you think I'm capable of being like him?

- Like who?

- Like him, you know, Uchu.

- Mmmm... I doubt very much that anyone could be.

- Oh... you see...

- However... if you try hard enough, you might someday be like him and even surpass him, but that only depends on you.

- Heh... thank you.

- You're welcome, now go to sleep.

- Good, good.

And night continued to fall, eventually, both Ephyra and Rudolf eventually fell into a long sleep, which they were both beginning to enjoy on that moonlit night....

≤ Several hours later ≥

- Boaah!...Phew, good morning Ephy-

Rudolf had been the first to wake up, the birds had interrupted his sleep. The first thing he did was to stretch and let out a long, as well as loud, yawn, raising his eyes to Ephyra, who was still sleeping.

The dwarf could not help but let out a few laughs and give her a smile, Ephyra, that girl he found some years ago in the sea, had grown so much that he could barely keep up with her when she ran. His gaze would linger for a few more minutes on the young girl, until he knew it was time to get up and get on with the morning, this way he would avoid being late to the mine.

He got up from his bed, starting to get dressed at once, already arriving at the mine he would have to take a shower. Once dressed in his brown pants, not thick and resistant, along with a shirt that left his arms in view, he began to walk to the "kitchen". A few pieces of wood and stone formed a table, along with several straw baskets and an iron bucket, with several dents.

He moved his right hand to the container, grabbing it from the edge so he could lift it up. Once in his hand, he would go out the door to the outside, generating squeaking noises that, fortunately for Rudolf, did not wake up the orange-haired girl.

It was a cloudy day in that small village where they live, birds were singing and fluttering everywhere, while, at the same time, several people were leaving their houses. Some were watering the plants, others were simply starting to set up small stalls and others, like Rudolf, were preparing to mine.

- Good morning Rudolf, how was your evening?

He was greeted by one of his companions, who was dressed just like him, the only difference being that Rudolf was wearing worn-out shoes that covered him from the grass, his companion was not.

- I'm not complaining, it could have been worse.

- I guess it was all right.

- You guess right...

- Hey and where are you going with that bucket?

- Victor, you know I'm walking to the creek "Ana Maria" Do you think I'm going to do with the bucket?

- Hey, hey, easy, I got it. Fuck. Why so defensive?

- Why in the mornings I'm bad? Maybe?

- No, no, it's something else.

Rudolf couldn't hold it in and let out a heavy sigh, rolling his eyes for a few seconds at how annoying his partner was becoming. Anyway, it didn't stop the duo from reaching that stream.

- Hey Rudolf.

- What?

- Have you read the news? It looks like the mayor is finally going to raise the miners' income.

- Tsk, please. How much? Two iron souls?

- No... 4 iron ones.

- And that's what you're happy about?!? It's still a pittance of money.

- Yeah, but look on the bright side, instead of earning 2 iron, we're going to earn 6.

The idea of hitting his partner with the bucket didn't sound so bad in Rudolf's head, who would refrain and just go about his business, bending down to, now, start filling the bucket with water.

Although they belonged to a town, the town of Camelot, a small mining town which is quite noted for being one of the main exporters of minerals. Even so, despite this, the floor to the miners was still very low.

The pair, after filling Rudolf's bucket, would split up, leaving Victor for the mine, while Rudolf returned to the cabin. The walk from the creek to his home was not long at all, on the contrary, it took him barely 10 minutes one way, and another 10 minutes back. On his way back, he greeted more of his friends and acquaintances, always on the lookout for a drop of water.

When he was finally at the entrance, realizing that he had left the door open, he entered, noticing that Ephyra was still sleeping peacefully. He took a few steps until he was in front of her, with the bucket full of water, swung his arms and Splach! He splashed all the water on her face, wetting her and waking her up in the process.

- Good morning, it's time to go so hurry up.

- WHAT GOOD MORNING? You just poured water all over me!

- Oh, you figured that out all by yourself?

- Agh! I hate you!

Ephyra, very grumpy, would end up getting out of bed, stepping hard on the wooden floor, which caused a small hole in the board. Still, not satisfied, she would take out her foot and stomp hard again, although fortunately it did not break now.

Giving pronounced steps, she reached the trunk, moment in which, opening it very abruptly, Ephyra would end up breaking the planks that were at her feet, causing her anger to be aggravated.

- Aah!!!

- Okey...I'll wait for you outside, you have 5 minutes.

- Good!

He shouted before Rudolf left the cabin through the only entrance. Although it wasn't the first time that the man made these "jokes", they certainly put him in a bad mood.

Pulling his legs out of the hole, he made his way to the foot of the bed, where his trunk was located. A chest made of metal and wood, somewhat rusty but at least it was still useful. Letting out a small and short sigh, he would end up removing the wet clothes, leaving each garment on the floor.

Once she was already in just her underwear, she opened the trunk without the need of a key or anything like that, due to the lack of a lock. Taking out and putting on each article of clothing, he will end up with a black dress, whose skirt shows some buttons that make it easy to put on these clothes. On top of these clothes is a cloak that is black on the outside, while the inside has a navy blue color. Next to the dress, some boots and black pants, being this the favorite garment of the dwarf, because she herself made this garment, with pure effort and cuts, which took its toll, but it was no longer practically noticeable.

Now ready, she would take the backpack. With a more relaxed and calm step, she would leave her home, seeing Rudolf, who was waiting for her with a look that inspected her from head to toe. She said nothing, just moved her eyes slightly in a circular motion, let out a sigh and, taking a breath, placed her back straight, looking at the orange-haired girl with a small but calm smile, which reflected her peace in that instant.

Thus the duo began their walk. All the people greeted the couple, waving their hands back and forth and talking in a loud tone. Thus followed a long stretch of the road, until he saw it, those golden eyes visualized the knights, a training to train the youngest in that, knights.

- I...would like to go there.

- There where?

questioned the other, while those golden eyes were still fixed on that training. It would be a fact that the dwarf would soon notice, looking in the same direction as the orange-haired woman.

- Mmmm...okay.

- I really... wait, what did you say?

In disbelief, she looked at him, had she misheard him? How was it possible for him to tell her without saying yes, he didn't understand, he's always so protective, so tough. Why did he just let me do it? He simply couldn't understand that situation.

- Ephyra, you are growing up, I won't always be able to make decisions for you. If you want to go, it's fine with me, besides it's free.

At that answer, the little girl's mind lit up, now she understood her answer, she only wants to leave because she doesn't have to pay anything to put him in the training. This generated a relief in the girl, who would show it by letting her body loosen slightly.

- There's not much left, so go make some tea and don't bother the others, will you?

- Come on, do you really think I'm capable of that?

- ...

He didn't say anything, the answer was so obvious that he didn't even deserve to waste words. Looking back to the front, there it was, the vertical beams, painted with a worn black that showed the original color of the plank. The entrance, with a small sign at the head, handmade by himself. Everything was in its place, in its place...that generated a small smile in the dwarf, who would look back, looking Ephyra in the eyes for a moment.

- Now that I remember...Why do you want to rule Camelot?

- Ah...I..

That question took her by surprise, her hair messed up and her back bent backwards. But that didn't stop her, in spite of his upcoming mockery, she expanded her chest, clenched her fists and, gathering her composure, gazed with those golden eyes at Rudolf.

- I want to prove that I am the strongest!...Besides, you all received me in a good way, you didn't look at me badly. You gave me a home, a place and I want to return the favor.

- By dominating us?

- Yes...well, I want to make sure that everyone can live well, that the town that saw me grow up can fulfill its dream...that they can be a city and improve their economy.

Rudolf was going to talk to her, to give her that reality check but...he couldn't, he just didn't have the courage to do it. While it wasn't a realistic dream it was a noble one, he could see in her eyes how she really believed in his words, that she really wanted to do what he said...he couldn't, he couldn't destroy her dreams.

- Haha...okay, Miss Dominatrix, we better get started before we can't get paid for the day.