Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 393

Chapter 393: Abyssal Post

With a final surge of shadowmancy, Myne’s power overwhelmed the Void Gate. The vortex collapsed in on itself, the tendrils disintegrating into nothingness. The corridor shook violently as the gate imploded, sending a shockwave that knocked everyone off their feet.

As the dust settled, Malkarath fell to one knee, his armor shattered and his warhammer cracked. Aiden stood over him, his blade poised for the final strike.

“This is for everyone you’ve destroyed,” Aiden said, his voice cold.

With a single, decisive blow, Malkarath’s reign ended. The corridor fell silent, the oppressive energy dissipating.

Aiden turned to his team, his expression grim but resolute. “The Abyss knows we’re here now. Let’s make sure they never forget.”

The Abyssal Outpost, Command Center

The silence after Malkarath’s fall was fleeting. The Abyssal outpost trembled as if reacting to the death of its commander, and ominous red warning lights began to pulse along the walls. A low hum resonated throughout the structure, a sound that sent a chill down Aiden’s spine.

“They know,” Myne said, her voice sharp. She was breathing heavily, her shadows receding now that the Void Gate was destroyed. “The entire Abyss is aware of what we just did.”

“We have to move,” Aiden said, gesturing for Dren and Myne to follow him. “The command center is just ahead. If we can access their systems, we’ll know exactly what this outpost is hiding and where their reinforcements are coming from.”

Dren sheathed his blades, his usual smirk replaced with a grim determination. “Lead the way. But let’s hope their backup isn’t already knocking on the door.”

They entered the command center, a massive chamber dominated by a central console surrounded by holographic displays. Abyssal runes floated in the air, and streams of data flickered across the screens. The air was thick with residual energy, and the faint echoes of Malkarath’s dark presence still lingered.

“This is it,” Myne said, her eyes scanning the console. “Give me a moment to crack their system.”

As Myne worked, Aiden stood guard, his senses on high alert. Dren prowled the edges of the room, his sharp eyes scanning for traps or hidden enemies.

“Whatever you’re doing, do it fast,” Dren said. “This place feels like a tomb about to collapse.”

“I’m aware, thank you,” Myne snapped, her fingers dancing over the console. “These Abyssal encryption codes are—wait, there it is.”

The holograms shifted, displaying a map of the outpost and the surrounding region. Myne’s eyes widened as she took in the data. “This isn’t just a command center. It’s a staging ground. They’ve been amassing forces here for a large-scale invasion.”

Aiden’s jaw tightened. “How soon?”

“Days, maybe less,” Myne said. “And it’s not just ground troops. They’ve been experimenting with something…horrifying. Look at this.” She expanded a hologram showing massive, grotesque creatures bound in chains, their bodies pulsating with Abyssal energy.

“Void Titans,” Myne whispered. “Weapons of pure destruction. If they’re unleashed, entire regions will be wiped out.”

Dren let out a low whistle. “Well, that’s a problem.”

“We need to disable this outpost completely,” Aiden said, his voice firm. “If we leave even a trace of their plans intact, they’ll recover and strike harder.”

“I’m already working on it,” Myne said, her hands moving faster. “But there’s a failsafe. If I overload the system, it’ll trigger a chain reaction. We’ll have minutes to escape before the entire place goes up.”

Aiden nodded. “Do it. We’ll find a way out.”

As Myne initiated the overload sequence, alarms blared throughout the outpost. The red lights intensified, and the structure began to shake. Aiden grabbed his comms device. “Team, this is Valerian. We’re triggering a full detonation. All units, fall back to extraction points immediately.”

The response crackled through the comms. “Acknowledged, sir. We’ll hold the perimeter until you’re out.”

“Got it. Myne, how long do we have?” Aiden asked.

“Three minutes,” she said, her voice strained. “And the system is fighting me every step of the way.”

“Dren, prep the exit,” Aiden ordered. “We’re not sticking around for the fireworks.”

Dren nodded and moved toward the corridor, his blades at the ready. But before he could reach the exit, a new figure emerged from the shadows. Tall, cloaked in Abyssal energy, and radiating a power far beyond Malkarath’s, the figure stepped into the room. Its face was obscured, but its eyes glowed with a malevolent light.

“Well done, mortals,” the figure said, its voice a chilling blend of human and inhuman tones. “You’ve destroyed a pawn and disrupted our plans. But did you think it would end here?”

Aiden stepped forward, his sword blazing with light. “Who are you?”

“I am Malakar, Warden of the Abyss,” the figure said, its voice dripping with disdain. “And you, Aiden Valerian, have meddled in affairs far beyond your comprehension.”

Aiden’s grip on his weapon tightened. “Comprehension or not, I’ll stop you.”

Malakar laughed, the sound echoing like a death knell. “You are brave, but bravery will not save you. The Abyss is infinite. For every gate you close, ten more will open.”

“We’ll see about that,” Aiden said, charging forward.

The clash was immediate and cataclysmic. Malakar’s power was overwhelming, his strikes creating shockwaves that shook the entire chamber. Aiden fought with everything he had, his blade glowing brighter with each strike, but Malakar’s strength was unlike anything he’d faced before.

Dren and Myne joined the fight, their combined efforts forcing Malakar to split his focus. Shadows and steel struck in perfect unison, but Malakar deflected their attacks with ease, his movements fluid and precise.

“You cannot win,” Malakar said, his voice calm even in the heat of battle. “But you can delay your inevitable defeat.”

Aiden gritted his teeth, his mind racing. They couldn’t defeat Malakar here, not in the time they had. “Myne, is the overload ready?”

“Almost!” Myne shouted, dodging a blast of dark energy. “Just a few more seconds!”

“Good,” Aiden said. “Dren, cover her. I’ll hold him off.”

Dren hesitated but nodded, moving to protect Myne as she completed the sequence. Aiden turned back to Malakar, his eyes blazing with determination. “You’re not stopping us.”

Malakar tilted his head, a faint smirk on his obscured face. “We’ll see.”

The final moments were a blur of light and shadow, steel and energy. As Myne shouted that the overload was complete, Aiden unleashed a blinding surge of power, forcing Malakar back just long enough for the team to escape.

“Move!” Aiden shouted, grabbing Myne and pulling her toward the exit.

The team sprinted through the shaking corridors, the sound of explosions growing louder behind them. As they reached the extraction point, the outpost erupted in a massive explosion, a pillar of light and dark energy shooting into the sky.

Aiden turned to face the devastation, his chest heaving. “One battle down. But this war is far from over.”