Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 376

Chapter 376: Back

By the time they reached the hidden entrance to their base, dawn was just beginning to creep over the horizon. Liam appeared beside Aiden as the team filed in, their forms flickering faintly in the early light.

“You need rest,” Liam said, his tone firm. “Pushing yourself further won’t help anyone.”

Aiden shook his head. “There’s no time for that. If the Abyssal Maw is real, and someone’s trying to unleash it, we’re already behind.”

Liam studied him for a moment before nodding reluctantly. “At least take some time to regroup. The team will need direction, and you’ll need clarity.”

As much as Aiden hated to admit it, Liam had a point. He couldn’t afford to falter—not now. “Fine,” he said, relenting. “But only for a couple of hours. Keep digging into those texts. I want to know everything there is to know about this Abyssal Maw.”

Liam inclined his head before disappearing into the base, leaving Aiden alone at the entrance for a brief moment. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. The storm outside had passed, but another storm—far greater and more dangerous—was brewing, and it was headed straight for them.

Inside the base, the mood was tense. The raid had been a success, but the encounter with the silver-eyed figure had left everyone shaken. Myne leaned against the wall of the strategy room, her arms crossed as she watched Aiden pore over a map of the region.

“You know,” she said, breaking the silence, “you’re going to have to tell them eventually. The team deserves to know what we’re up against.”

Aiden didn’t look up. “They’ll know when the time is right. For now, it’s better they focus on the fight in front of us.”

Myne sighed, shaking her head. “You always do this. Carry the weight of the world on your shoulders and act like you’re invincible. One of these days, it’s going to break you.”

Aiden finally glanced up, his expression unreadable. “Maybe. But until then, we keep moving forward.”

She didn’t respond, though the look she gave him spoke volumes.

Before either of them could say more, the door opened, and one of their operatives entered, saluting crisply. “Lord Aiden, we’ve intercepted a message. It’s encoded, but it appears to be from the Celestial Court.”

Aiden straightened, taking the small scroll the operative handed him. He unrolled it, his eyes scanning the series of runes and symbols etched into the parchment.

“Can you crack it?” Myne asked, peering over his shoulder.

“Liam can,” Aiden replied. “Get him here.”

The operative nodded and left quickly. Moments later, Liam appeared, his form flickering faintly as he examined the scroll. “This will take some time,” he said. “But if it’s urgent, I can prioritize it.”

“It’s urgent,” Aiden said firmly. “Anything from the Court is.”

Liam nodded and vanished with the scroll, leaving Aiden and Myne alone once more.

“So,” Myne said, breaking the silence, “what’s the plan if this Abyssal Maw thing turns out to be real? We’re talking about ancient, god-tier destruction here, Aiden. This isn’t just some border skirmish.”

Aiden leaned against the table, his hands gripping the edges tightly. “If it’s real, we stop it. Simple as that.”

Myne raised an eyebrow. “Simple? You’ve seen what we’re up against. The Court is bad enough, but this? This is—”

“It doesn’t matter,” Aiden cut her off, his voice firm. “If the Abyssal Maw is a threat to this world, we stop it. I don’t care how impossible it seems.”

For a moment, Myne said nothing, her sharp gaze studying him intently. Then she sighed and pushed off the wall. “Fine. But don’t expect me to pull any punches when you start acting like a martyr.”

Aiden smirked faintly, though there was no humor in it. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Hours later, Aiden sat alone in the dimly lit strategy room, the faint glow of a mana-infused lamp casting shadows across the scattered maps and documents on the table. His gaze was fixed on a single point on the map—a region marked as “The Rift,” a desolate, uncharted land where the Abyssal Maw was rumored to be sealed.

The door creaked open, and Liam entered, holding the now-deciphered scroll. His expression was grim. “I’ve cracked it,” he said, handing the parchment to Aiden. “You’re not going to like what it says.”

Aiden took the scroll and scanned it quickly. His jaw tightened as he read the message.

To the Eyes of the Shadow Vanguard,

The Celestial Court has detected anomalies in the fabric of reality surrounding The Rift. Unauthorized forces have been observed tampering with the ancient seals. Immediate intervention is required to prevent a catastrophic event. Reinforcements will arrive in three cycles, but the situation must be contained until then.

Failure is not an option.

The signature at the bottom bore the mark of one of the Court’s high overseers—a sign that this was not just an isolated threat but one that had captured the attention of the realm’s most powerful authorities.

“So, it’s real,” Liam said, his voice low. “And someone’s actively trying to break the seals.”

Aiden exhaled sharply, the weight of the revelation pressing down on him. “We’re out of time,” he said, rolling up the scroll. “If they’re sending reinforcements, it means they expect this to escalate beyond what we can handle. We need to move now.”

Liam hesitated. “And what happens when their reinforcements arrive? The Court won’t take kindly to us meddling in their affairs.”

“They’ll have to deal with it,” Aiden said firmly. “We can’t sit back and wait for them to clean up this mess. By the time they get here, it could be too late.”

Liam nodded, though his concern was evident. “What’s the plan?”

Aiden stepped back from the table, his resolve hardening. “We split into two teams. Myne will lead one to scout the edges of The Rift and identify whoever is tampering with the seals. I’ll take the other team directly into the heart of the anomaly. If there’s a way to reinforce the seals or stop the ritual, we’ll do it.”

“And if you encounter whoever’s behind this?” Liam asked.

Aiden’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. “Then we’ll make sure they don’t get the chance to finish what they’ve started.”

The preparations were swift. Myne’s team was outfitted with specialized cloaking devices to avoid detection, while Aiden’s group armed themselves with enchanted weapons and tools designed for seal reinforcement. The mood in the base was tense, but there was no hesitation among the operatives. They trusted Aiden, and his determination was infectious.

Before departing, Aiden gathered both teams in the main chamber. “This isn’t just another mission,” he said, his voice steady but filled with urgency. “What we’re about to face is unlike anything we’ve encountered before. The fate of countless lives depends on us succeeding. Stick to your training, trust your instincts, and watch each other’s backs. We’ve faced impossible odds before, and we’ve come out stronger. This time will be no different.”

The operatives nodded, their expressions resolute. Myne gave him a mock salute. “Don’t get yourself killed out there, boss. I’d hate to have to take over your job.”

Aiden smirked faintly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

As the two teams departed, Aiden felt a strange mix of anticipation and dread. The forest grew darker and more oppressive as they neared The Rift, the air thick with an unnatural energy that set every nerve on edge.

By the time they reached the outer boundary, the landscape had transformed into a desolate wasteland. The ground was cracked and barren, and the sky above churned with dark clouds streaked with ominous flashes of light. In the distance, a faint glow marked the location of the seals.

“This is it,” Aiden said, his voice low. “Stay sharp. We don’t know what we’re walking into.”

As they pressed forward, the glow grew brighter, and the sound of chanting reached their ears—a low, guttural murmur that sent chills down their spines. Aiden signaled for the team to halt and motioned for his second-in-command to take up a defensive position.

He activated his spirit sense, the world around him lighting up in a cascade of ethereal hues. What he saw made his blood run cold. Surrounding the seals were figures cloaked in dark energy, their forms distorted and otherworldly. At the center of the ritual stood a towering figure, its silver eyes gleaming with malevolent intent.

The silver-eyed figure from the depot.

“It’s him,” Aiden muttered, gripping the hilt of his weapon tightly. “He’s the one orchestrating this.”

Liam’s voice crackled through the communication device. “What’s the call, Aiden?”

Aiden’s gaze hardened. “We stop them. No matter what.”

Aiden’s team spread out silently, each member taking their designated position. Their movements were swift and precise, honed through countless missions. The tension in the air was palpable as they watched the cloaked figures chant around the seals, their voices resonating with dark power.

“Remember the plan,” Aiden whispered through the communication link. “Take out the outer guards first, then disrupt the ritual. I’ll deal with the leader.”

Acknowledgments came back in hushed tones as the operatives prepared to strike. Myne’s team, positioned at the outer perimeter of The Rift, was ready to create a diversion if needed. Aiden’s eyes never left the towering figure at the center of the ritual. The silver-eyed man radiated an aura of dominance, his every motion exuding a calm confidence that belied the chaos unfolding around him.

With a subtle hand signal, Aiden initiated the attack.