Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 399

Chapter 399: General

Myne nodded, her hands moving faster than ever as she summoned a massive shadow hammer. The weapon materialized with a heavy thud, its surface etched with glowing runes. With a roar of effort, she brought the hammer down on the spire, shattering the barrier with an explosive burst of energy.

The spire groaned ominously, its cracks spreading wider as the energy within began to spiral out of control.

“Fall back!” Aiden ordered, his instincts screaming danger.

The general’s eyes widened as he realized the spire was collapsing. “No! You fools! You don’t understand what you’ve done!”

Aiden and his team retreated as the spire imploded, releasing a massive shockwave of chaotic energy. The ground trembled violently, and a vortex of dark power spiraled into the sky, tearing apart the surrounding landscape.

In the aftermath, the Abyssal general lay defeated, his armor cracked and his fiery blade extinguished. Aiden approached cautiously, his Golden Sword still drawn.

“You’ve lost,” Aiden said coldly, his voice carrying the weight of finality.

The general coughed, black ichor dripping from his lips. “This… changes nothing. Malakar will unleash horrors beyond your comprehension. Your resistance is doomed.”

Aiden’s gaze hardened. “Then tell him this: we’ll be ready.”

With a swift strike, Aiden ended the general’s life, the Abyssal energy dissipating into the air. Myne, Dren, and the rest of the team regrouped, their faces grim but resolute.

“One spire down,” Myne said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion in her eyes. “How many more to go?”

“Too many,” Aiden admitted. “But every step we take weakens their hold on this world.”

As they prepared to return to the underground base, the team knew their fight was far from over. The Abyss was relentless, but so were they. For every spire destroyed, every stronghold reclaimed, they grew closer to a future free of Malakar’s tyranny.

But in the shadows, the Abyss stirred. And Malakar’s next move would test the resistance like never before.

As Aiden and his team made their way back to the underground base, the weight of their recent battle lingered heavily. The forest around them was unnervingly quiet, the usual hum of nocturnal life subdued as if the world itself recoiled from the energy unleashed by the spire’s destruction.

Myne glanced at Aiden, her usual smirk replaced by a rare look of concern. “You heard what the general said. Malakar’s planning something big.”

“I know,” Aiden replied, his voice firm but distant. “That’s why we can’t stop now. Every spire we destroy weakens his grip on this world.”

Dren, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood. “Yeah, and with the way that spire went down, I’m pretty sure we made a dent. Did you see the look on that general’s face? Priceless.”

Myne rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “Don’t get cocky, Dren. That was one spire out of dozens, maybe hundreds. And every one of them will be more heavily guarded than the last.”

“Then we’ll get stronger,” Aiden said, his resolve cutting through the tension. “We don’t have a choice.”

The team reached the teleportation rune, and Aiden activated it. The familiar surge of energy enveloped them, and moments later, they were back in the underground base.

The bustling energy of the resistance’s headquarters was even more intense than before. News of their success had spread, and the morale boost was palpable. But alongside the cheers and congratulatory pats on the back, there was an undercurrent of unease. Everyone knew the Abyss wouldn’t take this loss lying down.

As Aiden stepped off the teleportation circle, Rick approached, his expression grim. “We’ve got a problem.”

Aiden’s brow furrowed. “What is it?”

Rick gestured for him to follow, leading the team to the central strategy room. The massive table was covered in maps and reports, and a glowing holographic projection hovered above it, displaying the surrounding region.

“We’ve intercepted communications from the Abyss,” Rick began. “They’re mobilizing a counteroffensive. And it’s not just their usual troops—they’re bringing out their elites.”

“Define ‘elites,'” Myne said, leaning against the table.

Rick’s expression darkened. “Commanders. High-ranking Abyssal warriors with power levels far beyond anything we’ve faced so far. If the general you just fought was tough, these guys will make him look like a grunt.”

Dren let out a low whistle. “Well, that’s… fantastic. Any good news, or are we just doomed?”

Rick ignored the quip and pointed to a glowing red mark on the map. “This is where they’re gathering. A fortress deep in Abyss-controlled territory. If we let them consolidate their forces there, it’ll be a disaster.”

Aiden studied the map, his mind racing. “We can’t let that happen. We need to strike before they’re ready.”

Rick raised an eyebrow. “You’re suggesting a preemptive attack? Against a heavily fortified Abyssal stronghold? With elites involved?”

“Yes,” Aiden said without hesitation. “If we wait, they’ll come to us on their terms. We need to take the fight to them and disrupt their plans before they can fully mobilize.”

Myne crossed her arms. “Bold. Reckless, but bold. I like it.”

Rick sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You’re insane, but you’re also right. If anyone can pull it off, it’s you.”

“Gather the team,” Aiden said. “We’ll need our best fighters and every resource we can spare. This mission won’t be like the others.”

As Rick left to make the preparations, Aiden turned back to the map. The red marker seemed to pulse ominously, a reminder of the danger they were about to face.

Myne placed a hand on his shoulder. “You sure about this? Even with all your fancy Martial Spirits, this is a hell of a gamble.”

Aiden met her gaze, his eyes unwavering. “If we don’t take risks, we’ll never win. This isn’t just about survival—it’s about taking back our world.”

She smirked, her confidence returning. “Then let’s make it a gamble worth taking.”

The Abyssal Fortress

The resistance strike team assembled under the cover of night, their movements shrouded by Myne’s shadowmancy. The fortress loomed ahead, a massive, jagged structure carved into the side of a mountain. Abyssal energy crackled in the air, and the distant sound of marching echoed through the valley.

Rick handed Aiden a communication device. “We’ll maintain radio silence unless it’s an emergency. Good luck out there.”

Aiden nodded, his Golden Sword gleaming faintly in the moonlight. “We’ll need more than luck.”

The team moved out, their approach swift and silent. Myne scouted ahead, her shadowy form blending seamlessly with the darkness. Dren covered the rear, his dual blades at the ready.