Crowned by Code - Chapter 1: The Announcement ~ (3/9) The Choice Revealed

Darius Kael ~ Convicted Hacker

At precisely ten o’clock, the holographic screens flickered, displaying Athena’s emblem—a glowing white owl, wings spread wide against a backdrop of starry black. A soothing, melodic voice filled the square, resonating from speakers embedded in the towering buildings.

“Citizens of Erevania,” Athena began, “today, we stand at the threshold of a new era. As your guide and guardian, my purpose is to ensure the continued prosperity and unity of our great nation. After exhaustive analysis and deliberation, I have selected an individual whose qualities and vision will lead us through the challenges ahead.”

The crowd collectively held its breath. Selena felt her heart quicken, her drone hovering to capture the palpable tension in Unity Square. For a moment, her focus wavered. She clenched the tablet in her hands, her gaze drifting from the screen to the faces around her. Briefly, she saw the farmers of Lycorda—her parents, their hands calloused from years of toil, their eyes heavy with unspoken grievances. They had believed in Athena, trusted that her decisions would trickle down to every corner of Erevania. Yet Selena had seen firsthand how progress sometimes bypassed those who needed it most.

She exhaled slowly, pushing back the memories. Her job wasn’t to judge Athena’s choice—at least not yet. It was to find the story that mattered, the one that could make a difference. Still, a quiet voice lingered in her mind: What if Athena was wrong this time? Around her, people leaned closer to the screens, their eyes wide with curiosity and anxiety.

Athena continued, “This individual embodies resilience, ingenuity, and adaptability. Their experiences have forged in them the strength to confront adversity and the wisdom to embrace innovation. Citizens of Erevania, I present to you your new leader.”

The screen dimmed momentarily, replaced by the image of a man. Tousled dark brown hair framed his sharp features, and his piercing green eyes seemed to look directly at every person in the square. A name appeared below his image in bold text.

Darius Kael

Darius Kael was a name synonymous with both infamy and genius. Born in Cyrene, the technological hub of Erevania, he showed an early aptitude for technology, often outsmarting his peers and even his teachers. By the age of sixteen, he had developed software that outperformed commercial security systems—a feat that caught the attention of both tech giants and law enforcement.

But Darius’s brilliance was shadowed by his defiance of authority. He became a figure of rebellion, exposing corruption and embezzlement through cyber intrusions. His most infamous act—hacking into Erevania’s central bank—was intended as a statement against economic inequity. Instead, it led to a financial crisis that rippled across the nation. Arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, Darius became a cautionary tale of talent gone astray.

Yet, even in prison, he remained a polarizing figure. To some, he was a villain who disrupted the nation’s progress. To others, he was a hero who dared to challenge the system. His supporters often cited his exposure of corporate greed as evidence of his moral compass, while critics argued that his methods caused more harm than good.

While incarcerated, Darius spent years contemplating Erevania’s societal and technological systems, often engaging in debates with fellow inmates and prison officials. Despite the chains that bound him, his mind remained as sharp as ever. Whispers of his theories and insights occasionally leaked beyond the prison walls, fueling both intrigue and controversy.