Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 366

Chapter 366: Battle VII

“Do it,” Aiden said. “Myne, you’re with me. If this goes south, we’ll board that fortress and take the fight to them.”

She laughed softly, her shadows coiling around her like living armor. “You always know how to make an entrance.”

The ship shuddered as Liam worked to disrupt the tractor beam. Sparks flew from the console, and the air filled with the acrid smell of burning circuits. The beam flickered, its grip weakening.

“Now!” Aiden shouted. “Full power to the engines!”

The ship roared as it surged forward, breaking free of the beam’s pull. For a moment, it seemed they had escaped—but the fortress was already reacting. Turrets along its spires came to life, firing beams of concentrated energy that lit up the night.

“Incoming fire!” Liam warned.

Aiden didn’t hesitate. “Evasive maneuvers! Myne, get to the rear turret and cover us!”

“On it!” she called, disappearing into the ship’s lower decks.

The ship twisted and rolled, dodging the barrage of energy blasts as best it could. Aiden gripped the console, his eyes locked on the fortress as it loomed ever closer.

“Liam, plot a course through those peaks,” he said. “We’ll lose them in the terrain.”

“You’re insane,” Liam muttered, but he complied. The ship veered toward the jagged mountains, weaving between the towering spires of rock as the fortress’s defenses struggled to keep up.

Myne’s voice crackled over the comms. “Rear turret’s taking out what I can, but they’ve got more firepower than we do.”

“Just buy us time,” Aiden said. “We don’t need to win this fight—we just need to survive it.”

As the ship dove deeper into the mountains, the energy blasts began to thin, their angles obstructed by the terrain. But Aiden knew this was only a temporary reprieve. The Celestial Court wouldn’t give up so easily.

“Liam, how far to the nearest safe zone?” he asked.

“About five klicks,” Liam replied. “But it’s not exactly a resort. The terrain’s rough, and the atmosphere’s toxic. We’ll need respirators.”

Aiden nodded. “Fine. Set us down. We’ll regroup and plan our next move from there.”

The ship descended toward a narrow plateau nestled between the peaks. As the landing gear extended, Aiden felt a flicker of relief—but it was short-lived. The sound of engines echoed through the mountains, growing louder with every second.

“Looks like they’ve sent a welcoming party,” Myne said, her voice tinged with excitement.

“Good,” Aiden replied, his sword already in hand. “Let’s show them what happens when they underestimate us.”

The ship touched down with a metallic thud, the landing gear barely holding steady on the uneven plateau. The engines powered down, but the tension in the air only grew thicker. Aiden stepped toward the hatch, his every movement purposeful as he adjusted the straps on his armor. He could already feel the vibrations in the ground—the Celestial Court’s forces were closing in fast.

“Liam, secure the ship,” Aiden ordered. “Activate the defensive array and make sure Joran and my mother stay inside. No one gets through.”

Liam nodded, his spectral form flickering as he rushed to the controls. “You better make this quick, Aiden. If they bring more reinforcements, we’re as good as surrounded.”

“That’s why we won’t let them,” Aiden replied coldly, gripping the hilt of his sword.

Myne was already outside, her shadowmancy coiling around her like living tendrils. She crouched low, her emerald eyes scanning the ridge for signs of movement. “Three squads,” she muttered under her breath. “One’s flanking from the east, and the others are moving up the valley. Classic pincer maneuver.”

Aiden stepped beside her, his eyes sharp as he surveyed the battlefield. The Celestial Court’s soldiers were disciplined, their approach precise. Gleaming white armor reflected the dim light of the glowing peaks, and their formation was tight, shields raised and weapons drawn.

“We hold the plateau,” Aiden said, his voice steady. “They’ll expect us to retreat into the mountains, but we’ll turn this high ground into a killing field.”

Myne grinned, her hands brimming with dark energy. “Finally, a fight worth my time.”

Aiden didn’t reply. He unsheathed his sword, the blade gleaming with a faint golden hue as he channeled his energy into it. He could feel the hum of the weapon, its resonance sharpening his focus. With a deep breath, he stepped forward to meet the enemy.

The first wave of soldiers crested the ridge, their movements coordinated and methodical. They raised their spears, their tips glowing with concentrated leyline energy. Aiden waited, his stance unwavering, as the air crackled with tension.

The charge came swiftly, but Aiden was faster. With a single swing, his sword unleashed an arc of golden light that cleaved through the front line. The soldiers’ formation faltered, their precision shattered by the overwhelming force of his strike.

“Now!” Aiden shouted.

Myne moved like a shadow, her tendrils lashing out to ensnare the scattered soldiers. Darkness engulfed them, pulling them into the void with muffled cries. She darted between the remaining troops, her daggers flashing in the dim light as she struck with lethal precision.

The second wave surged forward, their commander barking orders to reform the ranks. Aiden met them head-on, his movements a blur of calculated strikes and counters. His blade carved through armor and energy shields alike, each strike carrying the weight of his unyielding resolve.

But the Celestial Court’s forces were relentless. More soldiers poured into the valley, their numbers swelling with every passing moment. Energy blasts streaked through the air, forcing Aiden and Myne to maneuver carefully as they fought to hold the line.

“How long can you keep this up?” Myne called out, her voice laced with exertion.

“Long enough,” Aiden replied, his tone grim. He knew they couldn’t sustain this fight indefinitely. The Celestial Court’s forces were well-trained and heavily armed, and their numbers were overwhelming.

A distant roar echoed through the mountains, a deep, guttural sound that sent a shiver down Aiden’s spine. He glanced toward the source, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a massive figure emerging from the shadows.

A warbeast. The Celestial Court had brought one of their bioengineered monstrosities—a hulking creature covered in thick, armored plating, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. It lumbered toward the plateau, each step shaking the ground.

“Well, that’s new,” Myne muttered, her grin widening despite the dire situation.

Aiden tightened his grip on his sword, his mind racing. The warbeast was a game-changer, and they were already stretched thin. He had to think fast.

“Myne, keep the infantry busy,” he said. “I’ll handle the beast.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that? Thing looks like it eats swords for breakfast.”

“Just keep them off my back,” Aiden replied, his voice leaving no room for argument.

He broke into a sprint, charging toward the massive creature as it closed in on the plateau. The ground trembled beneath his feet, but his focus remained unshaken. The warbeast roared, its maw opening to reveal rows of jagged teeth as it prepared to strike.

Aiden leaped, his sword glowing with an intense light as he brought it down on the creature’s head. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, but the warbeast barely flinched. It swung a massive claw at him, forcing him to roll away to avoid the blow.

“Great,” Aiden muttered under his breath. “This is going to take a while.”

The warbeast roared again, its armored bulk shifting with unnatural speed as it lunged at Aiden. He dodged to the side, the creature’s clawed hand slamming into the ground where he’d stood moments ago, leaving a deep crater in the rocky terrain. Dust and debris filled the air, but Aiden’s spirit sense kept him acutely aware of every movement.

“Alright, big guy,” Aiden muttered, gripping his sword tightly. “Let’s see what you’re made of.”

The beast’s glowing eyes locked onto him, and it opened its maw, a sphere of pulsating energy forming between its jagged teeth. Aiden recognized the buildup instantly—a charged leyline blast. If that thing fired at close range, there’d be nothing left of the plateau.

Aiden sprang into action, rushing straight at the beast. He weaved between its massive limbs, avoiding its swipes while closing the distance. As the energy in the warbeast’s mouth reached its peak, he channeled his power into his sword, activating one of his most destructive techniques.

“Void Rend!”

The blade shimmered with a dark, otherworldly energy as Aiden slashed upward, aiming for the warbeast’s exposed underbelly. The attack connected, the void-infused energy cutting through the beast’s armor like it was paper. A deep gash opened along its torso, and the creature howled in pain, the energy blast in its maw dissipating into harmless sparks.

The beast stumbled back, its movements more sluggish but no less dangerous. It swung its tail, a massive whip of bone and armored plates, aiming to crush Aiden where he stood. He barely had time to raise his sword, the impact sending him skidding across the rocky ground. His arms burned from the strain, but he pushed himself back to his feet.

“Stubborn bastard,” Aiden muttered, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He glanced toward Myne, who was holding her own against the Celestial Court’s soldiers. Her shadows danced across the battlefield, taking down enemies with ruthless efficiency, but the sheer number of troops was wearing her down.