Codex Imperii: A Programmer's Conquest

Chapter 1: Aethelgard

The afternoon sun slanted through the tall windows of the Iloilo university classroom illuminating dust motes dancing in the air Rhys engrossed in a particularly dense passage on the Mycenaean civilization barely registered the hushed whispers of his classmates Then a blinding light erupted from the floor a searing white that seemed to consume everything His classmates gasped a wave of panicked murmurs rippling through the room They froze eyes wide with shock their faces illuminated by the ever-brightening glow The light intensified a blinding crescendo and then darkness

When Rhys opened his eyes the world had been utterly remade Gone were the familiar desks and chalkboards replaced by a vast echoing chamber The ceiling soared impossibly high lost in shadow the architecture hinting at a scale far beyond anything hed ever seen a castle perhaps or something even older more ancient He wasnt alone His classmates equally disoriented and awestruck stood around him their faces pale and etched with disbelief Before them seated upon a throne of intricately carved obsidian sat a figure of immense presence a king judging by the regal attire and the crown of gleaming silver that rested upon his head

Where are we? whispered Maria one of Rhys's classmates her voice trembling

I dont know Rhys replied his own voice barely a breath But this isnt Iloilo

The king a tall imposing figure with eyes like molten gold spoke his voice resonating through the vast chamber Welcome travelers you have been summoned

Summoned? another classmate gasped. By you?

The king nodded. I am King Theron and you are in Aethelgard a land in desperate need of your aid.

King Theron gestured with a hand adorned with rings of strange shimmering metal A shadow falls upon Aethelgard a darkness that threatens to consume all Malkor a god banished long ago seeks to reclaim his power He gathers strength corrupting the land and its people Only those with the Sight those touched by the ancient magic can stand against him He paused his gaze sweeping across the assembled students You are those chosen ones.

A murmur rippled through the group Fear warred with a strange sense of wonder But how stammered Juan another classmate his eyes wide.

The ancient prophecies foretold your coming Theron explained his voice low and resonant The stars aligned and the veil between worlds thinned You were drawn here to Aethelgard to fight for its survival.

Before anyone could respond a new light erupted from the floor this time directly beneath Rhys's feet It pulsed with an eerie violet glow forming a swirling circle of energy that hummed with power Fear tightened Rhys's chest He felt a tugging sensation a strange pull that seemed to draw him down He looked at his classmates their faces etched with worry and concern.

Rhys Maria cried out reaching for him but the light intensified engulfing him completely He vanished leaving only the faint scent of ozone and the lingering hum of the magic circle in his place The king his expression unreadable watched the empty space where Rhys had stood a flicker of something akin to anticipation in his golden eyes The other students stared speechless at the now empty spot the weight of their unexpected destiny pressing down upon them.

Rhys found himself in a void a boundless expanse of swirling darkness punctuated only by the distant glittering of countless stars  Above him the stars blazed with an intensity that was both beautiful and terrifying  Below him an endless abyss yawned a bottomless pit of impenetrable black  He stood alone suspended in this cosmic emptiness a tiny speck against the overwhelming grandeur of the universe

Then he saw him a tall imposing figure cloaked in a robe as dark as the void itself  The robe flowed around him like liquid shadow clinging to his gaunt frame  In his hand he held a staff of immense size a golden shaft from which four orbs floated red blue purple and black crystals pulsing with an inner light that seemed to writhe and change  His face was pale almost translucent his eyes glowed with a malevolent red fire his black hair flowed down his back like a waterfall of night his horns curved back from his head sharp and black as the deepest shadows  A palpable aura of darkness emanated from him a chilling presence that froze Rhys in place unable to move or speak

Hello hero a voice echoed in the void resonating with power and malice I am Malkor the God of Darkness and Death I summoned you to spread my name and get revenge on the gods who tried to kill me.

A surge of defiance raw and untamed coursed through Rhys Hed faced down professors argued with landlords even endured the icy disdain of his ex girlfriend This this was different but the fear was receding replaced by a burning anger He opened his mouth the words tumbling out in a torrent of frustration and defiance

Fuck you Rhys spat the word hanging in the void like a poisoned dart

Malkors red eyes widened a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his pale features A silence heavy and suffocating descended upon the void For eons none had dared to curse him to defy him with such blatant disrespect The power of his aura seemed to waver momentarily disrupted by the sheer audacity of the insult

I want to go back to my world Rhys continued his voice shaking slightly but his resolve unwavering I still have dreams to get rich live a comfortable life get Latin honors at school and take revenge on my ex girlfriend Go send me back home fuck you old man.

Malkor glared at Rhys, his red eyes burning with fury. An immense dark aura erupted from him, engulfing Rhys completely, suffocating him with its crushing weight. Rhys felt a thousand deaths, a million agonies, a torrent of pure despair washing over him. Yet he resisted. He felt the darkness trying to break him, crush him, but he held on. He gasped for breath, his body screaming in protest, but the words still forced their way out. "Fuck you."

Malkor roared, his voice a terrifying sound that echoed through the void. "I will crush you now! I will obliterate you! I will make you regret ever uttering those words!" But Rhys felt something was off. He had been cursing Malkor, defying him, yet the god hadn't killed him instantly. A strange confidence bloomed within him. "You can't do that," he said, his voice strained but defiant. "You need me. So fuck you."

His dark aura flickered and dimmed.  Before he could respond, a deep, gravelly voice echoed through the void, a voice that held a surprising note of agreement.  "He's right, Master Malkor," the voice said.  "We do need him."  The source remained unseen, but the words hung in the air, a strange counterpoint to Malkor's simmering fury.

Malkors rage seemed to falter His dark aura flickered and dimmed He looked at Rhys his expression shifting from fury to something akin to grudging acceptance What you say is true he admitted his voice losing some of its power you are the last I can summon This is the extent of my power I cannot summon another hero for centuries and by that the other Gods have found me and will kill me so I need your help We have to make a deal you help me get revenge and I will send you back home Its a fair deal dont you think If you refuse I will find another way to get my revenge but it will take much longer and be far more difficult for me.