Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 373

Chapter 373: Interception V

Aiden and Myne moved swiftly through the dense forest, the silence between them thick with unspoken tension. The faint traces of blood and the acrid smell of battle clung to the air, but they pressed forward, focused on reuniting with the others. The enemy patrol had been dealt with, but Aiden knew that such victories were fleeting. The Celestial Court was not an opponent to underestimate.

When they reached the fallback point—a secluded hollow surrounded by thick brush and natural rock formations—the rest of the team was already waiting. Kira was crouched near a small fire, her sharp eyes scanning the perimeter, while the others tended to their weapons and equipment. Relief flickered across her face as Aiden and Myne emerged from the shadows.

“That was fast,” Kira remarked, standing and approaching them. “Trouble?”

“Nothing we couldn’t handle,” Aiden replied, his tone neutral. “The patrol’s been neutralized, but it’s only a matter of time before they send more. We need to keep moving.”

Kira nodded, her expression grim. “Agreed. There’s a narrow valley about five miles east. It should provide some cover, at least for a little while.”

“Let’s not waste time, then.” Aiden turned to the group, his voice carrying authority. “Pack up. We leave in ten minutes.”

The team moved with practiced efficiency, gathering their supplies and dousing the fire. Myne leaned casually against a tree, her arms crossed as she watched Aiden. Her earlier words about him overthinking lingered in his mind, but he pushed them aside. There was no room for doubt—not now.

As they began their march eastward, the forest grew darker, the canopy overhead thickening until it blocked out most of the sunlight. The air was cooler here, and the sounds of the forest were muted, as if the land itself held its breath. Aiden kept his senses sharp, every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig drawing his attention.

It wasn’t long before Liam’s spectral form flickered into existence beside him, his expression as somber as ever. “I’ve been tracking the residual energy signatures from the ritual site,” Liam said quietly, his voice carrying a faint echo. “They’re growing stronger. Whatever the Celestial Court is doing, they’re accelerating the process.”

Aiden frowned, his mind racing. “How much time do we have?”

“Days, maybe less,” Liam replied. “The wards around the site are still intact, but they won’t remain impenetrable forever. Once the ritual reaches its peak, the energy surge will draw attention from across the realm.”

“Then we can’t wait for reinforcements,” Aiden said, his tone resolute. “We’ll have to strike first.”

Kira, who had been walking just ahead, turned her head slightly. “If we’re going straight for their stronghold, we’ll need more than just stealth. We’ll need a distraction big enough to draw their forces away.”

Myne’s grin was audible in her voice. “Oh, I can think of a few distractions.”

Aiden shot her a look. “Nothing too reckless. We can’t afford unnecessary losses.”

“Don’t worry, boss,” Myne said with a wink. “I know the line.”

As they continued through the forest, the faint outline of the valley came into view. Sheer cliffs rose on either side, and a narrow river wound through the center, its waters shimmering faintly in the dim light. The group moved cautiously, their steps careful as they descended into the valley.

Once they reached the bottom, Aiden called for a halt. He turned to address the group, his gaze sweeping over each member. “This is where we make our stand. We’ll set up a temporary base here and finalize the plan for the stronghold. Kira, I want you to scout the perimeter and set up early warning traps. Myne, gather intel on enemy movements. The rest of you, start preparing supplies and reinforcing our position.”

As the team dispersed to carry out their tasks, Aiden found himself alone near the riverbank, staring at his reflection in the water. His face was calm, but his mind was anything but. The weight of the decisions ahead pressed heavily on him, each one carrying the potential to tip the scales of the war.

“You’re doing it again,” Myne’s voice broke through his thoughts.

He didn’t look up. “Doing what?”

“Thinking too much.” She appeared beside him, crouching down to splash some water on her hands. “You’ve got a plan, and you’ve got a team that trusts you. That’s more than most leaders can say.”

Aiden finally met her gaze, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “And here I thought you enjoyed pointing out my flaws.”

“Oh, I do,” she said with a laugh. “But you’re less fun when you’re brooding.”

Before Aiden could respond, Kira’s voice rang out from the edge of the camp. “Movement to the west! It’s faint, but something’s out there.”

Aiden stood immediately, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his blade. “Positions. Everyone, stay sharp.”

The team regrouped quickly, their weapons drawn and their eyes scanning the treeline. The forest was eerily silent, the usual sounds of wildlife conspicuously absent. Aiden’s grip on his sword tightened as he extended his Spirit Sense, searching for any signs of an approaching threat.

Then, from the shadows, a figure stepped forward. Clad in robes adorned with celestial patterns, the figure exuded an aura of immense power. Their eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and a faint smirk played on their lips.

“Well, well,” the figure said, their voice smooth and mocking. “The infamous Aiden, leading his band of misfits into my territory. I must say, I’m flattered.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. “And you are?”

The figure inclined their head slightly. “Call me Alaric. High Inquisitor of the Celestial Court. And I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

The tension in the air was palpable as the two locked eyes, the promise of violence hanging heavy between them. Aiden’s team tightened their formation, their focus unyielding.

Aiden’s stance shifted slightly, his hand tightening on the hilt of his blade as he studied Alaric. The High Inquisitor’s presence was overwhelming, his aura suffocating, but Aiden’s resolve remained firm. Around him, his team formed a semi-circle, their weapons ready and their expressions grim.

“Alaric,” Aiden said evenly, his voice carrying an edge of steel. “If you’ve come to talk, then talk. If not, you’re wasting both our time.”

Alaric chuckled softly, the sound cold and devoid of humor. “Straight to the point. I admire that.” He took a step forward, the hem of his robes brushing the ground like liquid starlight. “But I wonder—do you truly know what you’re fighting for, Aiden? Do you understand the forces at play here?”

Aiden didn’t flinch. “I know enough. Enough to stop whatever twisted ritual your Court is planning.”

“Ah, the ritual,” Alaric said with a smirk, his glowing eyes narrowing. “It’s always amusing how little mortals comprehend the grand designs of the divine. You meddle in affairs far beyond your understanding, thinking you can topple gods. But I suppose I shouldn’t expect more from a pretender.”

Aiden’s gaze hardened, and his aura surged in response, dark and crackling with restrained power. “You talk a lot for someone about to lose.”

Alaric raised an eyebrow, his amusement clear. “Confident, aren’t you? Perhaps too much for your own good.”

Without warning, Alaric raised his hand, and the air around him warped, a sudden wave of pressure exploding outward. The trees groaned under the force, their branches snapping as the ground trembled. Aiden reacted instantly, drawing his blade and slashing upward in a single fluid motion. The strike unleashed a wave of energy, cleaving through the oppressive force and scattering the debris that had been thrown into the air.

“Form up!” Aiden barked, his team moving into position around him. Kira nocked an arrow, its tip glowing faintly, while Myne’s hands crackled with shadowy energy. The others prepared their own abilities, their focus unyielding.

Alaric tilted his head, as if mildly impressed. “Not bad. Let’s see if you can keep up.”

In the blink of an eye, Alaric disappeared, his form dissolving into a blur of light. He reappeared behind Aiden, a shimmering blade of energy in his hand, but Aiden was ready. He spun on his heel, parrying the strike with his sword and forcing Alaric back with a burst of raw energy.

The battlefield erupted into chaos. Alaric’s aura pulsed like a living thing, each wave of energy distorting the air and shaking the ground. Aiden’s team moved in perfect synchronization, their years of training and shared battles evident in their coordination. Kira loosed a barrage of arrows, each one homing in on Alaric with precision, while Myne’s shadows coiled and lashed out like living tendrils.

But Alaric was no ordinary opponent. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected the arrows, the glowing projectiles shattering against an invisible barrier. He countered Myne’s attack with a pulse of light, the shadows dissipating as if consumed by a greater force.

Aiden charged, his blade glowing with a dark, crackling energy. He struck with relentless speed, each swing of his sword aimed at exploiting the smallest openings in Alaric’s defense. The High Inquisitor met him blow for blow, their clash sending shockwaves rippling through the valley.

“You’re better than I expected,” Alaric admitted, his tone almost admiring. “But skill alone won’t save you.”