CHAPTER-1: Rudra Khaoticos Maximus Erebryx Barathrum
Scene-1:
Year 2044 A.D
Max got a letter from an unknown sender. It was written that it came from the company of a game he used to play for a long time. The game was called "Nero", it was a virtual reality RPG fantasy adventure game which was released in 2035. It became hugely popular in its first few years but it gradually fell off. However, few people really liked playing it for a long time until the gaming shut off its servers. Max was one of them. As the game exactly suited to his taste he continued playing the game even when his friends quit the game.
But he also quit the game 10 months just before the gaming company shut down its servers, because the game was filled with too many errors and bugs to play. The letter informed that the gaming company was feeling guilty for not properly maintaining the game, so the company wanted to give a gaming set to the long-time players as an apology.
Although he found it strange that the letter came 2 months after its shut down rather than immediately, he decided to ignore it. Max played that game for 8 years, so he was very happy to receive a free gaming set. The letter asked him to record himself as he recited some strange words mentioned in the letter in his gaming avatar. So he did it as was mentioned but he was immediately assaulted by headache and dizziness.
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When Max woke up, he found himself in a different room. The room looked like a bedroom of an Emperor or a king and he was on a king size bed. He examined his surroundings when he felt the room was familiar. Soon after he received the greatest shock in his life after he looked at himself in the mirror because the person in the mirror was not him.
The image in the mirror was a very tall guy with about 200 cm height with a lean muscular physique. He had jet black hair up to the shoulders with two red hair strands in the front and golden eyes with red slit vertical pupils. Max knew that man very well because it was his gaming avatar. He knew how it feels to be in this body but because of one year gap and the bizarre situation he could not grasp it.
POV
For a moment, he thought he was in the game like in the past. But he was feeling something he did not feel in the game. He felt it was his own body since birth.
As I stared at my oddly familiar body, a monotone male voice echoed from outside the room. "Welcome back, Your Majesty." I recognized the voice instantly—it was the same one I heard every time I logged into the game. While still processing everything, I opened the door to find a middle-aged man with white hair, dressed in a butler's suit, kneeling with his head bowed.
I knew him. Despite his appearance, he is actually a humanoid android named Michael, programmed to manage this place. His body was entirely made up of liquid metal. He could alter his appearance as he wished but he was mostly seen in middle aged English butler form as he was programmed to be a perfect assistant and servant. His presence confirmed my suspicions that I was somehow in the Arcanum, my base in game nero. My mind was flooded with questions: How? Why? Who? But Michael continued speaking in his steady tone, unfazed by my silence. "Once again, welcome back, my master, supreme ruler of the Great Tower of Arcanum. After all this time, your return has brought great joy to the Arcanum."
The Great Tower of Arcanum... a special dimension I had spent over eight years creating for my guild and myself. What began as a simple base for my subordinates evolved into a grand kingdom—a sanctuary to protect my people from external threats, a tower with 21 floors.
Does that mean I am in the game? But why could I not see any icons or logos like i used to see when i played the game Nero. Does this mean the game became real? Did Nero come to real life or i came into real life Nero? Did it happen to everyone or only me?
All these questions gave me confusion which turned into panic, before it could escalate into anxiety, my emotions were cooled off like i never lost composure. I do not know what happened but it is the least of my worries now. In fact, now I can think more clearly.
I had already transformed into my game avatar and I am currently in the Arcanum tower. In need of more information regarding this situation, it can be obtained by four questions: When, Where, Why and How.
Firstly, When did I get transported here? I looked at Michael and spoke to him as the ruler of the Arcanum and his master, "When did you notice my presence, Michael?"
Michael replied with a tone of respect, "Your majesty, I noticed your presence just 12 minutes ago."
I woke up 10 mins ago, that means he noticed me 2 mins before I woke up. So I was transported to the Arcanum 12 mins ago if he had noticed me as soon as I came here.
Michael was waiting for my command with utmost reverence, "Michael, it has been a year since I had last seen each other. How have you been?"
"A year?" Michael looked confused, after a bit of hesitation he spoke, "Pardon me, your majesty, it's been 20 years since we had met last time, not one year."
'What?!' thought Max in his mind but did not change his expression outwardly. After pondering for a moment Max said, "When was Arcanum created, Michael?".
"You named this tower as Arcanum exactly 120 years ago," Michael said with an honest and sincere tone.
Max thought, 'That just basically confirmed my assumption. It seems that game time flow is different from real time because I did exactly what Michael said but 6 years. From what I gathered, I think the game time was 20 times longer. Now, the important question is whether I am in the game world or in the real world.'
Max looked at Michael who was earnestly waiting for his command, "Michael, go out of Arcanum and inspect our surroundings. If you meet anybody non hostile, try to converse with them for information. Avoid combat if necessary. Lastly, before you go inform Merlin that I have summoned all the ministers of Arcanum".
Including Michael, there were eight ministers in the arcanum. The ministers were some of his strongest subordinates whom he chose to maintain Arcanum without his intervention mostly.All the ministers were given different responsibilities and departments to look after.
All the ministers were non-humans, each with some sort of villainous personality. Half of them were actually boss monsters before Max conquered them. The reason he chose them was because he wanted Arcanum to have a dark vibe. Moreover Max's avatar, Rudra, was a celestial demon, so it was only natural for his subordinates to be evil.
'So if all of them became real, not just programmed NPCs, will they still be loyal even after 20 years of my absence? What if I cannot use the powers of my avatar, will they still follow me? Will they betray me if they know I was a human in the past? Did they know they were just game characters before? What if I cannot return?' all questions started stirring in his mind which caused him panic, before his panic could grow, his mind cooled off with him being calmer than ever.
Max remembered that this phenomenon also happened earlier. He pondered about the source of this phenomenon, he noticed his right earring. That was the only earring he wore, it had a red gem hanging freely from his earlobe. It was a divine rank, highest rank, artifact. He remembered that it had a passive skill called "Calm Thinking", Combined with a body of a Celestial demon which was known for its prideful composure, was the reason for him to remain even after experiencing such a ridiculous situation.
Max's Avatar Rudra was a Celestial Demon, the highest class of demonic race, even though the appearance was similar to that of a human in his mid twenties.
After thinking for a few more moments, to not be betrayed by his subjects or to ensure his survival he must be a good ruler with little to no flaws, which means he must truly become his avatar, not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. He must not be Max anymore, he should become RUDRA.
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Scene-2:
In Arcanum tower, each floor was unique in its own way.
Some floors were designed for defense while others were made specifically for the races that reside in those floors. Eighteenth floor belonged to the later group.
Eighteenth floor, a land of eternal night beneath a blood-red moon, a towering castle, known as Nuitrouge castle, stood at its center. Within its dark halls, two women were seen chatting with each other. They were Elsabeth and Merlin.
Elsabeth Sang La Nuitrouge, also called Elsabeth, appeared to be a tall mature young woman with impeccable beauty. One of her distinguished features was her long, lustrous beautiful blood red hair that reached down to her thighs. Her hair also had loose bangs that covered her forehead. She had pale white skin with a face that resembled a goddess. Her face had sharp, aristocratic features with crimson eyes, slender nose and rosy lips. With a closer look one could notice her sharp fangs which emphasized her vampire race.
Elsabeth had a voluptuous figure with 180 cm height and perfect hourglass proportions. She wore a flowing, black one-piece gown with dark crimson intricate embroidery. Her posture and movements are refined, giving her the aura of a noblewoman, along with a commanding presence that exudes elegance and regality. She was none other than the ultimate queen of the vampire race. She was the owner of the 18th floor and Nuitrouge castle. She has an air of majesty in her, being the Queen. Most who saw her for the first time were not only captivated by her beauty but respect as well for the regal aura she projected.
The Blood Queen's expression was not good, in fact it had been decades since she was in a positive mood. Ever since Rudra's disappearance, she had become increasingly cold and distant. Although she took care of the minimum responsibilities that came with her position, she always had a bored expression.
However, the news delivered by the other woman shattered her expression. Shock flickered across her face, quickly giving way to an almost childlike excitement. Even the guards standing behind her, long accustomed to her stoic demeanor, were taken aback by both the news and her uncharacteristic display of joy—something they hadn't witnessed in years.
"He... he has returned? Are you certain? May I see him, Merlin?" Elsabeth's voice trembled slightly with anticipation. Merlin nodded, confirming the news. "Yes, all the ministers of the Tower have been summoned by him."
A rare sparkle of excitement appeared in Elsabeth's eyes as she turned to Merlin. "Wait for me. I must prepare... I wish to look my finest." She glanced over at Merlin's attire, raising an eyebrow. "Is that truly what you intend to wear?"
Merlin was a tall, slender, attractive and light-skinned young woman. Merlin's sleek, black hair fell neatly to her shoulders. It was well-kept, with no unnecessary embellishments, exuding an effortless elegance with striking gold eyes. She had a beauty mark right below her right eye.
Her appearance was similar to that of a mid-twenties young lady with 175 cm height. Merlin's figure was slim and youthful, embodying the appearance of a tall, attractive young woman. Her proportions were well-balanced, with an average bust and a shapely, apple-like curve to her hips, giving her a natural allure.
Merlin looked down at her outfit, Merlin's outfit was as daring as it is distinctive. She wore a tight, purple coat adorned and lined with fur along the top. This coat covered her arms and bust but left her chest and midsection exposed, revealing her confidence and indifference to modesty. Paired with this, she wears snug purple shorts, and thigh-high purple boots that complete her audacious look. a daring ensemble of a revealing fur-collared long coat, short shorts that resembled panties, and thigh-high boots. With a knowing smirk, she replied, "Elsabeth, I think it's perfect."
The remark caused a flicker of irritation to cross Elsabeth's face, but before she could respond, Merlin vanished, teleporting away. "I'll be waiting for you at the entrance of the Palace of Vaikuntam," her voice echoed, leaving Elsabeth to prepare for the long-awaited reunion.
The Vaikuntam (Vaikuntam Palace) was a palace for the residence of the Supreme Being, The Ruler of Arcanum. It was the biggest and Grandest building in the entire Arcanum. It was located on the 21st floor, the highest floor in the tower.
Besides Michael, no one was allowed to enter the 21st floor without the permission of the Supreme Being. So ever since the Supreme Being two decades ago, only Micheal resided there. So it was the first time for Elsabeth and other ministers after 20 years to visit the 21st floor or Vaikuntam Palace.
After some time, Elsabeth reached the highest floor on the Arcanum Tower, 21st floor, a place that was off limits to everyone including ministers. Only Michael was in it who isolated himself for almost 2 decades. Elsabeth could see 6 individuals including Merlin at the entrance of the 21st floor. The 21st floor was filled with milky white sea, in its centre Vaikuntam Palace was located.
Together with other 6 ministers, Elsabeth crossed the milky white sea through a rainbow bridge. Even though Elsabeth visited the 21st floor a few times, it never ceased to amaze her. Michael welcomed all of them at the entrance of the palace and escorted them to the throne room.
Everyone entered the magnificent throne room. The throne room of the palace was a breathtaking masterpiece, a testament to the grandeur and power of its occupant. The floor was a mosaic of polished emerald and gold, forming intricate patterns that seemed to shift and dance under the light. The ceiling was an awe-inspiring dome, painted to resemble a starry night sky, with constellations that glimmered and shifted as if alive. A grand chandelier hung from the center, its crystals casting a dazzling array of colors across the room as it caught the light from the floating orbs that illuminated the space.
At the far end of the room stood the throne, a magnificent seat carved from a single block of obsidian and inlaid with precious gemstones. It was elevated on a dais of marble, making it the focal point of the room. The background of the throne was an arch with black flames. The hall of the room was decorated with flags and other symbols of fallen enemies on the walls. The throne had exactly 9 steps above the platform.
As they were walking, an overwhelming presence washed over everyone in the room. Instincts, long dormant, flared to life, screaming warnings of the being now entering the room. All the ministers, hardened by centuries of power and authority, were suddenly gripped by emotions they hadn't experienced in ages. Elsabeth, more than anyone, felt a sense of familiarity—an intoxicating blend of fear and dominance, the same feelings she'd had when she first met her beloved. And, beneath that, there was excitement and joy bubbling within her As a man entered, steadily walking toward the throne room, every step he took radiated power. His aura dominated the space, sending ripples of tension through the air. Michael, with a firm and reverent voice, made the formal declaration. "I hereby announce the arrival of the greatest being, the absolute ruler of the Arcanum,the Supreme Being, the god-king, and our lord, Rudra Khaoticos Maximus Erebryx Barathrum."
With that grand announcement, Rudra entered the room, his royal gait exuding an unmatched aura of authority. The ministers could barely meet his gaze as he walked to the throne, each step resonating with the weight of his presence and He seated himself in a majestic manner.