Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 390

Chapter 390: Victory IV

At Aiden’s command, chaos erupted.

Myne’s shadowmancy surged forth, blanketing the convoy in pitch-black tendrils that lashed out like whips, disarming and disorienting the guards. The Abyssal creatures howled in confusion as they were engulfed in darkness, their unnatural forms flailing against an unseen enemy.

From the high ground, Dren and the others unleashed a volley of projectiles—arrows imbued with explosive enchantments, spears laced with poison, and bolts of pure energy. The wagons splintered under the barrage, their reinforced frames no match for the precision and ferocity of the attack.

General Varak roared, his deep, guttural voice cutting through the pandemonium. His massive frame leaped from his mount, the ground trembling beneath his feet as he landed. With a wave of his hand, the Abyssal creatures regrouped, forming a protective barrier around him.

Aiden emerged from his cover, his blade gleaming as it reflected the dim light of the waning moon. His presence drew Varak’s attention immediately, the general’s eyes narrowing in recognition.

“You,” Varak growled, his voice dripping with disdain. “The thorn in our side. Did you really think you could ambush me and live to tell the tale?”

Aiden didn’t respond. He moved like a blur, closing the distance between them in an instant. His blade slashed toward Varak’s midsection, but the general was ready, intercepting the strike with a massive war axe that crackled with dark energy.

The impact sent shockwaves through the pass, forcing the combatants around them to stagger. Sparks flew as the two weapons clashed, their wielders locked in a battle of sheer willpower.

“Is this all you’ve got?” Varak sneered, pushing Aiden back with a burst of strength. “I expected more from the so-called savior of the free lands.”

Aiden smirked, his grip on his sword unwavering. “I haven’t even started.”

With a flick of his wrist, Aiden activated the runes etched into his blade. A brilliant, golden light erupted from the weapon, momentarily blinding Varak and his guards. Seizing the opportunity, Aiden launched a series of rapid strikes, each one aimed at exploiting the general’s temporarily exposed defenses.

Varak roared in frustration, his movements becoming more erratic as he struggled to regain his footing. But the general was no mere brute—he adapted quickly, shifting his stance to counter Aiden’s relentless assault.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team executed their roles with precision. Myne’s shadows ensnared the remaining guards, dragging them into the abyssal darkness. Dren and the others focused on neutralizing the Abyssal creatures, their attacks coordinated and relentless.

The convoy’s supply wagons, the true objective of the mission, were systematically destroyed. Explosives planted by the team ignited in bursts of flame, reducing the valuable resources to smoldering ruins.

“Aiden!” Myne’s voice rang out through the chaos. “We’ve got the supplies. Finish him off, and let’s get out of here!”

Aiden didn’t need to be told twice. With a surge of energy, he activated his Spirit Sense, pinpointing the weak points in Varak’s defenses. The golden light from his blade intensified, crackling with divine energy.

“This ends now,” Aiden said, his voice cold and unyielding.

Varak snarled, raising his war axe for a desperate, final attack. But Aiden was faster. With a single, decisive strike, he drove his blade through the general’s chest, piercing the dark core that pulsed with Abyssal energy.

Varak’s eyes widened in shock as his form began to disintegrate, the dark energy sustaining him unraveling in the face of Aiden’s overwhelming power. With one last, defiant roar, the Abyssal general collapsed, his body reduced to ash.

Silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by the crackling of flames and the distant sounds of the forest. The team regrouped, their expressions a mixture of exhaustion and triumph.

“That was… intense,” Dren said, wiping sweat from his brow.

“One down,” Aiden replied, sheathing his blade. “Two to go.”

Myne approached, her usual smirk replaced by a look of genuine admiration. “Not bad, boss. Not bad at all.”

Aiden allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction before turning to the team. “We need to move. The Abyss will know we’re here soon enough.”

With that, the strike team melted back into the shadows, leaving the smoldering wreckage of the convoy behind. The war was far from over, but tonight, they had taken a significant step toward victory.

As Aiden and his strike team vanished into the forest, their retreat was as swift and silent as their attack. Myne’s shadowmancy concealed their movements, and the dense trees offered further cover from any potential pursuers. Still, the tension lingered in the air, every snapping twig and rustling leaf putting the team on edge.

They regrouped at a prearranged clearing several miles away, where a hidden teleportation rune awaited them. Dren inspected the perimeter while Myne secured the cache of supplies they had salvaged from the wreckage.

“Status report,” Aiden commanded, his voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through him.

“Minimal injuries on our side,” Dren said, returning from his patrol. “But the Abyss will be after us soon. That explosion wasn’t exactly subtle.”

“Good,” Aiden replied, his expression hard. “Let them come. Every resource they throw at us is one less they can use elsewhere.”

Myne smirked as she double-checked the charges she’d retrieved. “Always the tactician. But we shouldn’t overstay our welcome. The portal’s ready when you are.”

Aiden nodded, glancing at the team. They were battered but resolute. Each member had proven their mettle tonight, and he couldn’t help but feel a spark of pride. Yet, the weight of responsibility pressed heavy on his shoulders. This mission was only the beginning of a much larger campaign.

The group stepped onto the glowing rune, and Aiden activated it with a flick of his wrist. A surge of energy enveloped them, the forest dissolving into a blur of light and shadow. Moments later, they reappeared in the underground base—a sprawling network of caverns that served as the resistance’s headquarters.

The base was abuzz with activity. Messengers rushed to and fro, relaying information about Abyssal movements. Engineers tinkered with experimental weapons, while healers tended to the wounded from previous skirmishes. The air was thick with determination and urgency.