Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 371

Chapter 371: Interception III

Liam’s expression flickered with uncertainty. “I can redirect some of the ambient energy, but doing so could draw attention. If their mages are still nearby, they might notice.”

“Better they notice a strange surge than track the signature to us,” Aiden said decisively. “Do it.”

Liam bowed his head slightly. “As you command.”

His form vanished, and moments later, the faint hum of shifting energy rippled through the air. Even at this distance, Aiden could feel the leyline’s residual power dispersing, blending into the natural flow of the environment. It was subtle, but effective—a smokescreen to obscure their involvement.

“Smart move,” Myne said, her smirk returning. “Still, we can’t keep dancing with death like this. You’ve got the Court on edge, and now we’re on the radar of two of the most dangerous factions in the region. What’s the next step, boss?”

Aiden’s gaze shifted to the horizon, his eyes steely. “We press the advantage. The Court’s operations are disrupted, but not broken. If they think we’re content with small strikes, they’ll regroup and come back stronger. We need to hit them again before they can.”

Kira frowned. “You’re suggesting a second raid? So soon?”

“Not just a raid,” Aiden corrected. “We need to make a statement. Something that forces them to focus all their attention on us, leaving their allies vulnerable.”

“And how exactly do we do that?” Myne asked, arching an eyebrow.

Aiden’s lips curved into a cold smile. “We take the fight to one of their fortresses. Something high-profile. Something they can’t ignore.”

The suggestion hung in the air like a thunderclap, and for a moment, even Myne looked surprised. Kira’s eyes widened. “You want to attack a fortress? That’s suicide!”

“It’s bold,” Aiden admitted, “but not impossible. We’ve disrupted their supply lines and scattered their forces in this region. Their defenses will be stretched thin.”

“And if they’re not?” Kira pressed, her tone laced with doubt. “What if they see us coming and wipe us out?”

“They won’t,” Aiden said with quiet confidence. “Because we’ll make them think we’re hitting somewhere else.”

Myne’s grin returned, sharper this time. “A decoy. I like it.”

“We’ll need to divide the team,” Aiden continued. “One group to create a diversion, draw their forces away. The other will infiltrate the fortress and plant the charges.”

Kira hesitated, her brow furrowed. “It’s risky. If either group fails—”

“They won’t,” Aiden cut in, his voice firm. “This isn’t just about strategy. It’s about trust. I trust each of you to get the job done.”

The weight of his words settled over the group, silencing further objections. Myne’s expression softened—just slightly—and Kira finally nodded, though her unease remained.

“Then we’d better start planning,” Myne said, her tone laced with excitement. “I’ll handle the diversion. Shadows and chaos are kind of my thing.”

Aiden’s gaze shifted to Kira. “You’ll lead the infiltration team. Your precision and stealth will be critical.”

Kira swallowed hard but squared her shoulders. “Understood.”

“Good,” Aiden said. “We move at dawn. Rest while you can.”

The group dispersed to prepare, leaving Aiden alone with his thoughts. He gazed up at the night sky, the stars obscured by the lingering storm clouds. The path ahead was dangerous, but he thrived in uncertainty. The Court had underestimated him once. They wouldn’t get the chance to do so again.

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Aiden tightened his gauntlets and stepped into the clearing where his team was assembled. His voice was steady, filled with the quiet resolve of a leader who had already decided the outcome.

“This isn’t just about survival,” he said, meeting each of their gazes. “It’s about sending a message. The Celestial Court thinks they hold the strings, that they’re untouchable. We’re going to prove them wrong.”

And with that, they moved out, shadows in the rising light, ready to strike at the heart of their enemy.

The rising sun bathed the landscape in hues of gold and crimson as Aiden’s team marched toward destiny. The air was thick with tension, but none among them faltered. They had all chosen this path, and each carried the silent determination of warriors ready to defy the odds.

Myne fell in step beside Aiden, her shadowmancy already weaving faint tendrils of darkness around the group, cloaking their approach. “The diversion team’s ready,” she said, her voice low but laced with energy. “Once we hit their forward camp, it’ll look like we’re targeting their outposts.”

“Good,” Aiden replied, scanning the horizon. “Keep it messy. Draw as much attention as you can. The more disorganized they are, the better our chances.”

“Messy’s my specialty,” she said with a wicked grin. “Don’t get yourself killed storming that fortress, though. You’re the one holding this ragtag bunch together.”

Aiden allowed himself the barest hint of a smirk. “I’ll do my part. You just make sure their reinforcements are too distracted to notice what’s happening at the main site.”

Myne saluted mockingly, her grin widening. “Yes, sir.”

They parted ways as the team split into two groups. Myne led the diversion team into the dense forest to the east, while Aiden and Kira’s group veered west, taking the longer, quieter route toward the fortress. The terrain was rugged, forcing them to move with care, but every step brought them closer to their target.

As they crested a ridge, the fortress came into view. It was an imposing structure, carved into the side of a jagged cliff. Its walls shimmered faintly with defensive wards, and watchtowers loomed high above, their guards scanning the surrounding forest. Even from a distance, the hum of leyline energy was palpable—a testament to the power hidden within.

Kira crouched beside Aiden, her expression grim. “That’s going to be a tough nut to crack. The wards alone could take hours to bypass.”

“We won’t bypass them,” Aiden said, his gaze locked on the fortress. “We’ll overload them.”

Kira frowned. “Overload? How?”

Aiden pointed to the leyline conduits running along the outer walls. “Those conduits are their weak point. They’re drawing power directly from the leylines to sustain the wards, but it’s a delicate balance. If we disrupt the flow, the wards will collapse.”

Kira’s eyes widened as understanding dawned. “You want to overload the conduits. But that much energy… it could trigger an explosion.”

“It will,” Aiden said calmly. “That’s why we’ll need to be out before it happens.”

Kira stared at him, a mix of awe and disbelief in her eyes. “You’re insane.”

“Maybe,” Aiden said, his lips curving into a faint smile. “But it’ll work.”

They moved carefully down the ridge, staying low to avoid the watchful eyes of the sentries. Aiden’s Spirit Sense guided them, allowing them to avoid detection as they closed the distance to the fortress. When they reached the outer wall, Kira signaled for the team to halt.

“There,” she whispered, pointing to a junction in the leyline conduits. “That’s the main hub. If we plant charges there, it should create a chain reaction.”

Aiden nodded. “Do it.”

While Kira and her team worked swiftly to set the charges, Aiden kept watch, his senses stretched to their limit. The fortress buzzed with activity, but so far, no alarms had been raised. Myne’s diversion was working.

Just as Kira finished setting the last charge, a sharp cry rang out from one of the watchtowers. Aiden’s heart sank as he saw a patrol emerging from the forest, their leader pointing directly at their position.

“We’ve been spotted,” Kira hissed.

Aiden drew his blade, its edge gleaming with a faint, ethereal light. “Get the team out of here. I’ll hold them off.”

Kira grabbed his arm, her eyes wide with alarm. “Are you crazy? You can’t fight them all alone!”

“I don’t have to,” Aiden said, his voice steady. “I just need to buy enough time for you to finish the mission.”

Before she could protest, he stepped forward, his presence radiating a quiet, unshakable authority. The approaching guards hesitated, their formation faltering as they registered the lone figure standing before them.

“You’ve trespassed on Celestial Court territory,” their leader barked, his voice tinged with both anger and unease. “Surrender, and we may spare your life.”

Aiden tilted his head slightly, his smirk returning. “You don’t understand who you’re dealing with, do you?”

The leader snarled, motioning for his men to advance. “Kill him!”

Aiden raised his blade, the air around him crackling with energy. The first wave of guards rushed forward, their weapons gleaming, but Aiden moved with lethal precision. His blade sang through the air, each strike a masterful blend of power and finesse. One by one, his opponents fell, their attacks unable to breach his defenses.

From the corner of his eye, Aiden saw Kira and the team retreating into the forest. The charges were set, and the mission was nearly complete. All he had to do was hold the line a little longer.

But the guards kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. Aiden’s breath came faster, his movements sharp but strained. He couldn’t keep this up forever.

Then, as if answering his unspoken plea, a shadowy figure emerged from the treeline, twin daggers gleaming in their hands.

“Miss me?” Myne called, her voice light and teasing.

Aiden exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “You’re late.”

“Had to make sure the decoy worked,” she said with a grin. “Now let’s finish this.”

Together, they fought, their movements perfectly synchronized. Myne’s shadowmancy created openings, and Aiden exploited them with ruthless efficiency. The guards’ formation crumbled under the onslaught, and soon, the battlefield was silent.

Aiden glanced at Myne, his expression unreadable. “Thanks.”