Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 372

Chapter 372: Interception IV

“Anytime, boss,” she said, her grin widening. “Now let’s get out of here before this place blows.”

As they vanished into the forest, a deafening explosion rocked the fortress behind them, the shockwave lighting up the dawn sky.

The explosion sent a fiery plume into the sky, shattering the stillness of the dawn. The fortress crumbled as if a giant hand had smashed it, the defensive wards shattering with a cacophony of crackling energy. The roar of collapsing stone echoed across the forest, mingling with the distant shouts of panic from enemy forces.

Aiden and Myne didn’t stop to watch. They moved swiftly, weaving through the forest like shadows. Behind them, the devastation they had wrought continued to unfold, fire and smoke consuming what was left of the once-mighty stronghold.

“That was close,” Myne muttered as they reached the extraction point where Kira and the rest of the team were waiting.

Kira stepped forward, her expression torn between relief and anger. “You’re insane, Aiden. Absolutely insane. But I can’t argue with results.”

Aiden gave her a faint smile, his blade now sheathed but his hand still resting on the hilt. “Insanity gets the job done sometimes. Everyone made it back?”

“All accounted for,” Kira said, though her eyes lingered on him, concern flickering beneath her usual steely demeanor. “But you were cutting it way too close. You can’t keep pulling stunts like that.”

“Noted,” Aiden replied, though the glint in his eyes suggested otherwise.

Myne leaned against a tree, clearly enjoying the aftermath. “Come on, Kira. Let him have this one. It’s not every day you bring down an entire fortress without losing a single operative.”

Kira huffed but didn’t argue. The team began to regroup, their energy shifting from the tense focus of battle to the quiet satisfaction of victory. Supplies taken from the fortress had already been secured by Myne’s diversion team, and the charges had crippled the enemy’s leyline network for miles.

Aiden walked a short distance away from the group, his mind already turning to what came next. The fortress had been a key supply hub for the Celestial Court forces in this region. Its destruction would force them to retreat, buying time for his allies to regroup and solidify their positions. But he knew this victory was just the beginning. The Celestial Court would retaliate, and when they did, they would come with overwhelming force.

Footsteps approached, and he glanced over his shoulder to see Myne. She tilted her head, studying him with a look that was equal parts curiosity and amusement.

“You’re brooding again,” she said.

Aiden shrugged. “Planning.”

“Sure you are.” Myne crossed her arms, her grin softening into something more serious. “You know, you don’t always have to do everything yourself. The team’s good. They trust you. Let them carry more of the weight.”

Aiden considered her words for a moment before responding. “I trust them. But this isn’t just about today. Every move we make now sets the tone for the battles ahead. If we slip up, even once, the cost will be too high.”

Myne’s gaze lingered on him, her usual sharp wit tempered by a rare moment of understanding. “You’ve got a heavy crown on your head, Aiden. Just don’t forget there are people willing to help hold it up.”

Before he could reply, Kira called out, signaling that the group was ready to move. Aiden nodded to Myne and returned to the team, his focus sharpening once more. They couldn’t stay here for long; the Celestial Court would send scouts to investigate the explosion, and he didn’t intend to be anywhere near the scene when they arrived.

As they began their retreat, Aiden’s thoughts turned to the larger game. The fortress’s fall was a blow to the Celestial Court, but it was only one piece of a much larger puzzle. He had to stay ahead of them, anticipate their moves, and strike where they least expected.

But for now, they had won. And in the quiet moments that followed, as the team slipped through the forest and the first rays of sunlight broke through the smoke-filled sky, Aiden allowed himself a small, fleeting sense of satisfaction.

The war was far from over, but they had taken the first step. And Aiden intended to make every step that followed count.

The forest stretched on endlessly as the team moved through the underbrush, their steps light and silent. Aiden kept his senses sharp, scanning the environment for any signs of pursuit. While their victory had been decisive, he knew better than to underestimate the Celestial Court’s ability to regroup and counterattack.

They reached the rendezvous point by midday, a hidden cavern nestled within the rocky cliffs. The team filed inside, setting up a temporary camp while Aiden and Kira spread out a map on a flat rock near the back of the cave.

Kira pointed to the destroyed fortress’s location, then traced a path to the nearest enemy outpost. “The Court will send a response team here,” she said. “It won’t take long for them to realize their leyline network is down. We’ve bought time, but not much.”

“Time is all we need,” Aiden replied. He glanced toward Liam, who had been silently analyzing the situation from the shadows. “Any updates on the ritual?”

Liam stepped forward, his spectral form flickering faintly in the dim light of the cavern. “The energy signatures are becoming more pronounced. I believe the ritual site is located within the Celestial Court’s central stronghold. However, it’s shielded by powerful wards. Getting close won’t be easy.”

Aiden leaned over the map, his mind racing. The central stronghold was deep within enemy territory, a fortress even more heavily fortified than the one they had just destroyed. If the Celestial Court was truly conducting a ritual there, it meant they were willing to gamble everything on its success.

“We’ll need more intel before making a move,” he said. “But if this ritual is as dangerous as you say, we can’t afford to wait too long. Myne, how soon can you gather the scouting teams?”

Myne, perched on a nearby rock with her usual air of nonchalance, shrugged. “Give me a few hours. I’ll have eyes on their stronghold before nightfall.”

“Good.” Aiden straightened, addressing the rest of the team. “For now, everyone rest and recover. We’ll need to be at full strength for what’s coming next.”

The group dispersed, each operative finding their own corner of the cavern to rest or tend to their equipment. Aiden remained by the map, his thoughts already three steps ahead. Myne lingered nearby, watching him with a faint smile.

“You’re doing that thing again,” she said after a moment.

“What thing?”

“Overthinking.” She hopped down from her perch, her boots crunching softly against the rocky floor as she approached. “You’ve got one hell of a poker face, but it’s obvious. You’re carrying this whole war on your shoulders, and it’s weighing you down.”

Aiden met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “It’s my responsibility.”

“Maybe,” Myne admitted. “But you’re not alone. Don’t forget that.”

Before Aiden could respond, Kira approached, her expression grim. “We’ve got a problem. One of the scouts just reported movement to the north—an enemy patrol heading straight for this area.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. “How many?”

“Too many for it to be a coincidence,” Kira said. “They must’ve tracked us from the fortress.”

Aiden’s mind shifted gears instantly. “Alright, we’ll split into two groups. Kira, take the others and head south toward the fallback point. Myne and I will deal with the patrol.”

“You sure about that?” Kira asked, concern flashing across her face.

“Positive,” Aiden replied. “We can’t risk the entire team getting caught. Trust me—we’ll handle it.”

Kira hesitated but eventually nodded. “Alright. Don’t take too long.”

As the rest of the team prepared to move out, Aiden turned to Myne. “Ready?”

She grinned, shadows already curling around her like a living thing. “Always.”

The two of them slipped out of the cavern and into the forest, moving like ghosts through the undergrowth. The enemy patrol wasn’t far—Aiden could hear the faint clink of armor and hushed voices as they approached.

He glanced at Myne, who nodded. In an instant, the shadows around her surged forward, enveloping the patrol in a suffocating darkness. Panicked shouts erupted as the soldiers fumbled blindly, their torches snuffed out by the encroaching void.

Aiden moved swiftly, his blade flashing as he dispatched the disoriented enemies with precision. Myne’s shadows coiled and struck like serpents, pulling soldiers into the abyss before they could even scream. Within moments, the patrol was silenced, their bodies vanishing into the darkness.

As the last echoes of the skirmish faded, Aiden and Myne stood amidst the carnage, their breathing steady.

“Efficient as always,” Myne said, wiping a speck of blood from her cheek.

Aiden sheathed his blade, his gaze distant. “Let’s regroup with the others. This was just the beginning.”

They melted back into the forest, the weight of the war pressing heavier than ever. But for now, they had bought themselves a little more time—and in this game of shadows and steel, every second counted.