Chapter 2: The Codex's Call

Kai's heart thundered in his chest as he lay on the cold stone floor of the ruins, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. The voice that echoed in his mind was like nothing he had ever heard before—deep, ancient, and filled with an authority that sent chills down his spine. His hand still tingled from touching the glowing book, the pain fading but leaving behind a strange warmth that seemed to seep into his very bones.

The Celestial Codex? He had never heard of such a thing.

He pushed himself to his feet, eyes still locked on the ancient tome sitting on the pedestal. It was old, far older than anything he'd ever seen, with its cracked leather cover and glowing, pulsing light seeping through the creases. Symbols and markings, foreign and cryptic, danced across its surface, almost alive in the way they shimmered and shifted.

His hand shook as he reached for the Codex again, but this time, there was no pain. The warmth from the book spread through his fingers, like a pulse, steady and strong. As his fingers brushed the surface, the book sprang open, pages flipping rapidly until it settled on one, glowing brighter than ever.

The voice spoke again, this time clearer, resonating deep within him.

"The world is on the brink of collapse. Only the chosen can restore balance."

Kai's vision blurred once more, but this time he was fully aware as a flood of images and words filled his mind. Worlds, realms, ancient beings known as Celestials, beings of immense power who shaped the universe itself. He saw battles, realms crumbling under dark forces, and strange creatures like the ones that had attacked his village. And amidst it all, there was the Codex—a tool, a guide, and a weapon.

He stumbled back, overwhelmed, gasping for breath. His mind buzzed with information, images, and words he barely understood. What was this? Why was it happening to him?

Suddenly, there was a rush of energy. Kai's body felt light, as though a current of power had been unlocked deep within him. His body tingled with newfound strength, something he had never felt before. The Codex wasn't just a book—it was alive, and it had chosen him.

Before he could process any of this, a sharp howl echoed from outside the ruins, chilling him to the core. The creatures. They were still out there.

He glanced toward the entrance, heart pounding again. He was alone, defenseless, or so he thought.

"The Codex grants you power," the voice said again, calm and commanding. "Embrace it, and you will survive."

A faint light emanated from the pages of the Codex, and new symbols formed across the page in front of him. Kai didn't understand them, but somehow, he knew what to do. It was instinctive, like the knowledge had been embedded deep inside him the moment he touched the book.

He focused on the symbols, letting the warmth from the Codex flow through him. His breath steadied, his body relaxed, and then… he felt it.

Power surged through him.

His hands glowed faintly, a shimmering blue light swirling around his fingers. It was weak, faint, but he could feel it growing, like a fire being stoked. It was the Codex's power, flowing into him, giving him strength.

Kai looked at his glowing hands, bewildered but fascinated. This power—it felt raw, untamed, but his. He didn't have time to fully understand it, though, as another howl, much closer this time, echoed outside.

The creatures were coming.

Kai steeled himself, his heart racing with both fear and anticipation. He had no weapons, no training, nothing but the strange power coursing through him. But he wasn't going to run. Not this time. If the Codex had chosen him, if this power was his to wield, then he would use it. He had no other choice.

A shadow moved at the entrance of the ruins. One of the beasts—the dark, twisted wolves with glowing red eyes—slipped inside, its gaze locking onto Kai. Its lips curled back in a snarl, saliva dripping from its fangs as it prepared to lunge.

Kai swallowed hard, trying to stay calm as the creature approached. He didn't know how to fight, didn't know how to wield the power he felt inside him. But something deep within told him to trust the Codex.

The beast lunged.

Without thinking, Kai thrust his glowing hand forward. A blast of light shot from his palm, striking the creature square in the chest. The wolf-like beast let out a howl of pain as the energy engulfed it, throwing it backward. It hit the stone wall with a sickening crunch and collapsed to the ground, its body smoldering.

Kai stood frozen in place, staring at the creature's lifeless body. His hands still glowed faintly, the energy slowly dissipating. He had done that. Somehow, with the Codex's power, he had killed the beast.

But there was no time to celebrate. Outside, more howls filled the air, louder and more numerous. There were more of them, and they were coming for him.

Kai glanced at the Codex, its pages still glowing softly on the pedestal. The voice had said it granted him power, but how much? Could he really fight off an entire pack of these creatures?

"The Codex is a guide," the voice echoed again in his mind. "Its power grows with you. But only if you are willing to embrace it."

Kai hesitated for only a moment. He didn't fully understand what was happening, didn't know why this ancient artifact had chosen him. But he knew one thing: he wasn't going to die here, not today. If the Codex had the power to save him, then he would use it.

He stepped toward the Codex, his hand hovering over the pages. As his fingers touched the glowing text, a rush of new energy surged through him. His vision blurred again, and more symbols filled his mind—new abilities, new possibilities.

And then, just as quickly as it began, the sensation stopped. He opened his eyes, and the Codex's light faded slightly, returning to its usual faint glow.

But Kai didn't feel faint. In fact, he felt stronger than ever. His hands still tingled with energy, but this time, it was controlled, focused. He could feel the power humming inside him, waiting to be unleashed.

The creatures were close now, their footsteps heavy against the stone outside. Kai clenched his fists, his heart steadying. He wasn't just a villager anymore, not after this. He was something more.

The Codex had chosen him, and whatever lay ahead, he would face it head-on.

As the first of the creatures charged into the ruins, Kai raised his hand, light flaring from his palm.

This time, he was ready.

### End of Chapter 2