It was a peaceful world, full of joy, where animals lived in perfect harmony. Badgers, weasels, hamsters, rats, mice, opossums, viscachas, and even guinea pigs coexisted peacefully. Some worked hard, while others simply enjoyed life. However, among them was a small badger whom the entire community shunned. His peculiar appearance and unique way of seeing the world made him stand out—but not in a positive way. The others saw him as strange, someone different.
The young badger carried a deep sadness in his heart. No one wanted to play with him or listen to his ideas. In his mind, he dreamed of greatness—concepts that others could not comprehend. Though he rarely spoke, his mind was a whirlwind of creative thoughts, visions that led him to imagine things far beyond what others considered possible. But this very difference isolated him.
Finally, he decided to embark on a journey alone. He would leave his hometown, the place where he had always felt out of place. With quiet determination, he set off into the unknown, leaving behind critical stares and closed hearts.
One day, while exploring a nearby forest, the young badger noticed something unusual in the sky. A large, bright sphere descended rapidly, leaving behind an incandescent trail that illuminated the trees as if it were midday. Though it looked like a meteor, there was something about its trajectory that seemed deliberate, almost intentional. Curiosity overwhelmed the little badger. He had always been fascinated by the strange, and this sight awakened in him a mix of awe and reverent fear.
Without hesitation, he ran toward the spot where the sphere had landed. His small paws pounded against the ground covered in dry leaves, while his heart raced with anticipation for the unknown. When he arrived, he found himself facing a dark-colored rock emanating a mysterious aura. Its surface was irregular, as if forged in the depths of the cosmos, and it seemed to vibrate with contained energy, crackling the surrounding air.
Suddenly, the stone began to split and fracture with a sharp sound, like glass shattering. From within, dense gray smoke emerged, quickly enveloping the entire area, blocking out the sunlight and plunging the place into oppressive twilight. The little badger stood paralyzed, his eyes wide open as they struggled to comprehend what was happening. His body trembled slightly—not from fear, but from a mixture of wonder and expectation.
It was then that a deep, sinister voice resonated in his mind, profound as an echo in an endless cavern. Each word seemed to vibrate inside his skull, laden with an authority that left no room for doubt.
"What's wrong? Can't you speak?" the voice asked, laced with intimidating authority. The badger could only emit nervous squeaks, unable to respond. "I see… You're intelligent, but you don't know how to communicate. I can only read your mind."
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the smoke. It was a gigantic being, shrouded in dense shadows. Only sharp fangs and piercing red eyes, glowing like embers, could be distinguished—eyes that seemed to bore into the very soul of the badger. Its presence was overwhelming, designed to inspire terror. Yet, the little badger did not retreat or show any sign of fear.
"I see you're not like the other beings I've observed while surveying this planet," the voice said, almost impressed. "And I also see that you do not fear me. Very well, then I shall grant you the gift of speech, along with extraordinary powers. In return, you will become my eternal servant."
The badger didn't fully understand what was happening, but before he could process the words, his body began to change. He was lifted into the air as his small frame started to stretch and grow. Painful squeals escaped his throat as his form transformed. His skin darkened to a deep brown, his eyes ignited with an intense red glow, and his size increased until he became a colossal humanoid badger—a monstrous giant with immense strength.
When the process ended, the badger finally spoke. His voice was deep and resonant, nothing like the high-pitched squeaks that once defined him. "Thank you so much, my lord, for this gift," he said reverently. "I will remain loyal to you until the end of my days."
The menacing shadow leaned toward the newly transformed humanoid badger, its voice echoing like an eternal ripple in the mind of the colossal creature. "From now on, your name will be Tejod, and you will know me as: Urugas."
The gigantic badger bowed his head in reverence, listening intently to the words of his new master. Urugas continued in a cold, calculating tone. "For now, I cannot accompany you. I must conserve my strength after my battle with cosmic entities. I believe one of them still lingers on this planet… Perhaps I'll begin by exacting revenge on it. But fear not; I leave these seven forces to assist you in my absence."
From the shadows surrounding Urugas, seven hooded figures emerged, completely cloaked in black suits that concealed their faces. Their presence was unsettling, as if they were living extensions of the darkness itself. "They are the Shadow Council," Urugas announced solemnly. "They will aid you while I rest, but you will report everything you do to them."
"Lord Urugas," Tejod responded in a deep, unwavering voice filled with loyalty, "command me as you wish, and I shall obey. As I told you before, I will serve you until the end."
Urugas smiled, though his expression remained hidden within the shadows. "Most intriguing… Even before your transformation, I could read your thoughts. You desire understanding, knowledge, exploration of the unknown. You feared nothing." He paused, as if reflecting on something. "I wonder… Why did the cosmic entity not grant speech to the animals of this world but bestowed it upon fruits and vegetables instead? Ah, no matter. I have other plans in mind."
The lord of shadows extended a hand toward Tejod, pointing to the horizon with an imposing gesture. His long, sharp fingers seemed to slice through the air itself, while his shadowy figure cast a silhouette that stretched beyond imagination. "Go, my little badger," Urugas said, his voice resonating like an eternal echo that vibrated through every fiber of Tejod's being. "Feed and grow in your power. Then I will tell you what your next task will be."
Urugas's words were a blend of promise and warning, laden with a weight that Tejod felt deeply in his chest. The colossal humanoid badger bowed his head in reverence, his red eyes glowing with determination beneath the dim light. He knew his journey was only beginning, but he also understood there was no turning back. The darkness now coursing through his veins demanded absolute obedience.
As he gazed at the horizon indicated by his master, Tejod felt his body instinctively respond to the call of the shadows. A cold, pulsating energy coursed through his limbs, as if he were connected to something far greater than himself. It was a power that both terrified and thrilled him, a force promising to transform him into something beyond what any living being could imagine.
With slow but resolute steps, Tejod began to move toward the destiny Urugas had laid out for him. Behind him lay the memories of his old life; ahead, only darkness and infinite possibilities stretched forth.