Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 391

Chapter 391: Victory V

As Aiden’s team emerged from the teleportation circle, a cheer erupted from those nearby. Word of their successful mission had already spread, and the sight of the strike team returning intact was a boost to morale.

“Aiden!” A familiar voice called out. Rick strode toward him, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a rare smile. “You pulled it off. Varak is dead, and their supply lines are in shambles.”

“For now,” Aiden said, his tone cautious. “The Abyss won’t take this lying down. We need to press the advantage before they can regroup.”

Rick nodded, his expression turning serious. “Agreed. I’ve already received reports of increased Abyssal activity near the border towns. They’re likely mobilizing to retaliate.”

“Let them,” Aiden said, his eyes narrowing. “We’ve made the first move, and now it’s time to show them that we’re not afraid. We’ll hit them where it hurts and keep them off balance.”

Myne, leaning against a nearby wall, chimed in. “You’re thinking of another strike already? Don’t we at least get a night to celebrate?”

Aiden allowed himself a faint smile. “Rest while you can. Tomorrow, we plan our next move.”

As the team dispersed, Aiden lingered near the strategy table, staring at the maps and documents spread across its surface. Each marked location represented a critical point in the Abyssal war machine—targets that, if taken down, could tip the scales in their favor.

Rick joined him, his voice low. “You’ve got them rallying behind you, Aiden. They believe in this fight because they believe in you.”

Aiden sighed, his gaze never leaving the map. “It’s not about me. It’s about what’s at stake. If we fail, there won’t be anything left to believe in.”

Rick placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Then we won’t fail. One step at a time, Aiden. Tonight was a victory, and we’ll build on it.”

Aiden nodded, the weight of the war momentarily lifted by his friend’s words. But deep down, he knew the battles ahead would only grow more difficult. The Abyss was a relentless enemy, and their true power had yet to be unleashed.

The underground base was quieting down as the night stretched on. The strike team had dispersed to rest or regroup, but Aiden found himself unable to sleep. His mind churned with the plans for the next strike, the potential moves of the Abyss, and the faces of the people relying on him. He leaned heavily on the edge of the strategy table, his fingers tracing the intricate lines of the map in front of him.

Rick returned, carrying two steaming mugs. He placed one in front of Aiden and leaned against the table beside him. “You need to take a break. Even the sharpest blade dulls without rest.”

Aiden gave a half-smile but didn’t lift the mug. “The Abyss doesn’t rest. We can’t afford to either.”

Rick sipped his drink, his eyes scanning the map. “We’ll burn out if we push too hard. We scored a big win tonight. You need to give yourself—and the team—credit for that.”

Aiden exhaled deeply. “It’s hard to celebrate when I know what’s coming next. Varak was just one head of the hydra. Cut it off, and two more will grow in its place.”

“True,” Rick said, his voice calm. “But every hydra has a heart. We just have to find it.”

The words lingered in Aiden’s mind as he straightened. “The heart,” he murmured. His gaze moved to a section of the map marked with Abyssal strongholds. “Their supply lines are crippled, but we need to find the core of their operations—their command center.”

Rick nodded. “Easier said than done. The Abyss guards its secrets well.”

Aiden tapped a finger on a specific point on the map—a heavily fortified Abyssal outpost near the border. “This might be it. They’ve funneled a lot of resources here recently. If it’s not the heart, it’s at least an artery.”

Rick studied the map, his expression thoughtful. “It’s a risk. That outpost is heavily guarded. But if we can infiltrate it, we might find intel that leads us to the core.”

Aiden’s eyes gleamed with determination. “We don’t just infiltrate. We take it down. The Abyss needs to know that nowhere is safe.”

Rick’s lips curved into a wry smile. “Spoken like a man who plans to make some noise.”

“Noise is exactly what we need,” Aiden replied. “We’ll hit them hard and fast, then slip away before they can retaliate. It’s time we stopped playing defense.”

Rick’s smile widened. “I’ll rally the team. They’ll be ready by morning.”

As Rick walked away, Aiden stared at the map, his mind already forming the plan. The weight of leadership was heavy, but the fire in his chest burned brighter. This was their chance to strike at the Abyss’s foundations and give the resistance the momentum it desperately needed.

The Next Morning

The strike team gathered in the briefing room, their faces a mixture of fatigue and determination. Aiden stood at the head of the table, his voice steady as he outlined the mission.

“Our target is the Abyssal outpost near the border,” he began, pointing to the map projected on the wall. “It’s a major hub for their operations. If we take it out, we cripple their ability to move resources and troops in this region.”

Dren leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “What kind of defenses are we looking at?”

“Significant,” Aiden admitted. “Heavy fortifications, patrols, and likely some Abyssal elites. That’s why this will be a two-phase operation. Myne, Dren, and I will infiltrate to disable their communications and sabotage their defenses. Once that’s done, Rick will lead the main force to hit them head-on.”

Rick crossed his arms, nodding. “And extraction?”

“We’ll use shadow portals,” Myne said confidently. “I’ll have them ready at key points for a quick retreat.”

Aiden’s gaze swept over the team. “This won’t be easy. But if we succeed, we’ll deal the Abyss a blow they won’t recover from.”

The room buzzed with a sense of purpose as the team prepared. Weapons were checked, plans reviewed, and quiet conversations exchanged as they steeled themselves for the fight ahead.