The ratmen flourished under the first flame. They did not have any rulers or leaders, for their population was too small, allowing them to discuss their future among themselves, however this also represented that they did not have anyone that could take decisions for their whole race.
Time went by, till the Genesis Era, year 450.
Disaster had struck, during a extremely cold winter, the fire keeper families discovered to their dismay that the wood they kept for keep the first flame alight was too wet to burn.
Panic, like a plague spread among them, the ratmen tried everything, even going out in the cold tundra to search for dry wood, yet heavens seemed to have no pity towards them.
At last, amidst the sorrowful eyes of the ratmen, the first flame went out, leaving in its place sadness and sorrowful cold that chilled the soul.
It is said that it's easy to go from poor to rich but hard to go from rich to poor. Although the ratmen didn't know about this saying, they felt it very much.
Without their first flame, they could not longer keep themselves warm, no longer cook their food, no longer keep the beasts away from their home, at such conditions, even the usually optimistic ratmen were filled with gried and sorrow.
One such ratmen was called Abu, he had a wife and two little children who he loved dearly. He was currently sitting in his cave in a daze, for without the first flame, it was too cold for them to go out to forage for food and hunt. They would have to wait for it warm a little.
He watched in his daze as his children who usually has full stomachs and played around the house, were now only half full, huddled in a corner as it was too cold.
At that moment, something seemed to ignite in him, he stood up and walked towards his wife Dela.
"What are you doing walking around, go and rest, you will need it when you go to hunt", she said without looking back.
He ignored her words and stood behind her, just as she was about to turn around and reprimand him, he suddenly smiled and hugged her.
At that moment, she instantly realised what her husband wanted to do, "No! There must be another way! Or someone else! You dont have-", she stopped for he was still smiling, and she knew painfully well that he had made up his mind, "Promise me Abu, that you will be back...please."
"I promise.", a simple answer with unwavering conviction. After some time hugging his wife, he went out house to house telling his people what he wanted to do.
Three days passed, and all ratmen gathered in front of the cave, watching Abu walk away. They knew that they could not stop him, that could only pray that he, and his two companions who wished to journey with him, could complete their goal.
In a soul chilling tundra, Abu ran, ran in a freezing blizard, in a stormy letter. As he ran, a tree fell in front of him, with lightning flashing in the distance.
He stepped on the tree and jumped, his hand reaching towards the distant lightning. His companions followed behind, watching in awe, the picture forever etched into their minds.
This...was an epic, an of a mortal chasing where lightning struck. This was the most direct manifestation of Courage of the weak.
Abu was not the smartest, nor the strongest, he just had the courage to sacrifice for his people and family. Such boundless courage, that even Zeroth who watching the development of this race, recognised him as someone who was his equal, for strength or wisdom without heart is worthless.
Azu could have never fanthomed that his father disliked him not because of his courage to called him father, but because he did not dare to raise his voice against him, giving up his pride in order to survive.
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Author's note
A relatively short chapter, I am just too tired today.