Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 396

Chapter 396: Abyssal Post IV

Aiden shook his head. “We barely made it out alive. Whatever Malakar throws at us now will make the Forge’s defenses look like a warm-up. We need more than just brute force—we need allies, resources, and intel.”

Dren nodded in agreement. “Aiden’s right. If Malakar’s forces consolidate, we won’t survive the next wave without reinforcements.”

Nexus crossed his arms, his expression grim. “I’ve already begun reaching out to other factions. There’s one group in particular that could tip the scales: the Celestial Vanguard.”

The Celestial Vanguard

The room went silent. Even Myne, usually brash and confident, raised an eyebrow at the mention of the Vanguard. They were a legendary faction, known for their unparalleled mastery of energy manipulation and their ability to harness celestial forces. But they were also fiercely independent, rarely involving themselves in conflicts outside their own domain.

“You think they’ll help us?” Aiden asked skeptically.

“They might,” Nexus replied. “But it won’t be easy. The Vanguard values strength and unity above all else. If we want their aid, we’ll need to prove ourselves—on their terms.”

“And what are their terms?” Myne asked, her tone edged with curiosity.

“A trial,” Nexus explained. “The Vanguard holds a proving ground called the Starbound Crucible. It’s a series of challenges designed to test a team’s skill, resilience, and synergy. If we pass, they’ll consider an alliance.”

“Consider?” Dren frowned. “That doesn’t sound like much of a guarantee.”

“It’s all we’ve got,” Nexus said. “The Crucible is dangerous, but if anyone can succeed, it’s you three. You’ve already accomplished the impossible by taking down the Forge. This is the next step.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed as he processed the information. “What do we know about the Crucible?”

Nexus brought up a holographic display, showing a sprawling, celestial arena suspended in the void. “The Crucible is divided into five stages, each one testing a different aspect of a team’s abilities: strategy, endurance, combat prowess, energy manipulation, and leadership. The final stage is the Trial of Unity, where the team must act as one to overcome an unknown challenge.”

Myne smirked. “Sounds like fun.”

Dren wasn’t as amused. “Sounds like a deathtrap.”

“Either way,” Aiden said, his voice firm, “we don’t have a choice. If the Vanguard can help us turn the tide, we’ll take the risk.”

Preparation for the Crucible

Over the next two days, the team trained relentlessly. Nexus provided detailed simulations of the Crucible’s stages, pushing them to their limits. Aiden honed his mastery of his Martial Spirits, particularly the Golden Sword and the Destiny Thread of Million Miracles, which he believed would be crucial for the Trial of Unity.

Myne focused on perfecting her shadowmancy, combining it with precision strikes to conserve energy while maximizing damage. Dren, meanwhile, worked on enhancing his defensive capabilities, knowing that his role as the team’s shield would be vital.

Despite their grueling schedule, the team found moments of camaraderie. In one rare moment of levity, Dren chuckled as Myne attempted to teach Aiden a shadow-based stealth technique.

“You’re hopeless,” Myne teased as Aiden struggled to blend into the darkness.

“Not all of us were born with shadow magic,” Aiden shot back, grinning despite his frustration.

“Don’t worry,” Dren said with a laugh. “If this whole hero thing doesn’t work out, you can always take up stand-up comedy.”

Even Nexus allowed himself a small smile as he observed the team’s banter. Despite the looming challenge, their bond was stronger than ever—a promising sign for the Trial of Unity.

The Starbound Crucible

On the third day, the team stood before the Celestial Vanguard’s emissary, a tall figure clad in radiant armor that seemed to shimmer with the light of distant stars.

“You seek the Vanguard’s aid,” the emissary said, his voice echoing with celestial authority. “Prove your worth in the Starbound Crucible. Only those who embody the essence of unity shall earn our trust.”

A portal opened before them, revealing the Crucible’s celestial arena. The team exchanged determined looks before stepping through.

The first stage tested their strategy, pitting them against a maze of traps and puzzles. Aiden’s quick thinking and Myne’s agility allowed them to navigate the challenges with precision, while Dren’s strength cleared obstacles that couldn’t be avoided.

The second stage was a grueling test of endurance, forcing them to withstand waves of relentless energy assaults. Dren’s defenses and Aiden’s healing abilities kept the team standing, even as exhaustion set in.

The third stage tested their combat prowess, unleashing a horde of celestial constructs. Myne’s shadowmancy danced through the battlefield, while Aiden and Dren held the line with devastating efficiency.

The fourth stage pushed their mastery of energy manipulation to its limits. They had to channel celestial energy into a fragile conduit, balancing power and control. Aiden’s Spirit Sense and Myne’s precise control proved invaluable, while Dren’s steady hands stabilized the conduit.

Finally, they reached the Trial of Unity. The arena transformed into an ever-shifting void, disorienting and chaotic. Their bonds were tested as they faced illusions designed to exploit their fears and doubts.

The Trial of Unity

The shifting void of the arena was disorienting, a chaotic expanse of swirling light and shadow that seemed to twist reality itself. The illusions manifested one by one, each tailored to attack the deepest fears and insecurities of the team.

For Aiden, it was the faces of those he had failed to save—friends, comrades, even innocents caught in the crossfire of his battles. Their ghostly voices called out to him, accusing him of arrogance and recklessness.

Myne faced a different torment: isolation. The shadows she had always commanded turned against her, consuming her in a suffocating darkness. Whispers of doubt echoed in her mind, mocking her overconfidence and questioning her worth.

Dren stood frozen as he faced his greatest fear: helplessness. He saw himself surrounded by the bodies of his teammates, unable to protect them, his strength meaningless against an overwhelming force.

The team struggled, each member lost in their personal nightmare. The illusions were unrelenting, feeding on their vulnerabilities and driving wedges between them.