1 Chapter 1 - CREATING SPARKS

Imagine a world where everything is in perfect harmony. Like a bottomless snow globe that loops forever into infinity; tiny white flares drifting endlessly in a gentle dance with gravity. Everything has its place, role and purpose – predestined, predetermined. A perfect world bound by immaculate symmetry, order and harmony.

This story doesn't happen in a world like that. Our story begins in a dark abyss, like most good stories do. The reality after that perfect world fell from grace, into the dark ages.

In a pitch-black space, the very border between birth and death. With little sparks of consciousness racing around randomly; like swarms of meteor showers spraying from every possible direction. Some blitzing by, others barely moving, but all lighting up the darkness like little stars.

These little sparks are, of course, sentient. Or, to be more precise, they're on the verge of sentience. Fragments of little souls that are capable of baby-like thoughts and emotions. If you listen keenly enough, you'll hear the tiny whispers of their desires.

Warmth. Food. Security. Love. Chocolate chip ice-cream. All the little important things that a sentient glowing spark needs before life can begin.

A small flare explodes from a corner of the darkness, where one spark of consciousness is expanding viciously, becoming larger and larger. Unlike the rest sparks – this yellow one moved with a purpose, heading steadily towards others.

'MINE! ALL!' a thought emanated across the abyss. A powerful desire to own and control everything exuded a stifling aura.

Suddenly, the yellow spark accelerated towards another. A tiny shriek, a cross between a whistling kettle and a dying rodent's squeal, screeched as the yellow spark and other consciousness made contact.

[YOU HAVE GAINED A LEVEL]

Another burst of light lit up the skies, as the yellow spark absorbed the other, triggering yet another flare up. When the light dimmed, the other spark had totally disappeared. And now, the yellow spark was a shade darker, brighter and larger.

'Everything will be mine. EVERYTHING...' its thoughts crystallizing after the absorption.

It moved forward greedily, continuing to absorb more and more sparks around it. The yellow tinge began to take on a slight golden shimmer.

"The world. It will be ALL mine! Everything will belong to me!' its consciousness grew more and more lucid.

It continued on its binge gleefully, sensing itself growing stronger and stronger; gaining more levels as it absorbed more and more of the other sparks.

'The world will worship me. Fear me. Give me EVERYTHING!'

Then, it noticed another spark – slightly different from all the others. It had a unique orange tint, obviously special. Without hesitation, the yellow spark strove towards its next meal.

'I WILL RULE THE WORLD. I WILL BE A GOD AMONGST GODS…'

A little voice interrupted the yellow sparks monologue, with a simple statement.

'Hungry!'

The tiny orange spark burst into a blazing orange light, exploding into a size twice as large as the golden-yellow consciousness.

'Yummy!' the orange spark blazed towards the yellow one.

An unknown emotion that gripped the golden-yellow spark. Its prey's sudden growth triggered a sudden sense of impending danger. A finality that would come too soon.

It felt fear. Pure, unexpected, and unfiltered fear. How did this other spark become so huge and powerful all of a sudden? Then, it understood. They were the same.

'WAIT. WAIT! We're the same.. we ca-' the startled golden-yellow light gushed desperately.

But it was too late. The little orange light began to devour it hungrily.

'Stop! We can help eac…' its voice faded into a strangled scream, muffled by a symphony of bites, chewing and lip smacking.

[YOU HAVE GAINED A LEVEL]

[YOU HAVE GAINED A LEVEL]

[YOU HAVE GAINED A LEVEL]

'Yummmy….' the little orange spark whispered contentedly.

Then, as if it had grown its own personal gravity field, the other sparks surrounding it were pulled towards it at laser light speed. The little spark was of course delighted beyond belief and continued to devour everything.

Then it flashed, turning the entire area into a glaring pure white light for a split second. A gentle glow emanated from it, as it calmed and slowly shrank into a tiny little spark again.

[YOU HAVE GAINED A LEVEL]

[YOU HAVE GAINED A LEVEL]

[MAXIMUM LEVEL REACHED]

[EVOLUTION UNLOCKED]

'More?' the little voice semi-pleaded, murmuring sleepily.

Satiated for the moment, it went back into hibernation. If you looked carefully, a tiny orange tail had appeared in the middle of the orange spark.

A tiny [LVL 1 DRAGON FETUS] notification appeared above the spark.