Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 401

Chapter 401: Fight II

Aiden’s gaze hardened. He drew the Reaper Scythe, its ethereal blade glowing ominously. “I’m not here to trade insults. Every second you waste makes this worse for you.”

The commander’s confidence wavered as the scythe’s aura brushed against him, its energy draining the strength from his already battered body. He gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his forehead.

“You won’t get anything from me,” he spat. “Do your worst. I’ve faced torment far beyond anything you can imagine.”

“Maybe,” Aiden replied, his voice low. “But there’s always someone stronger, and trust me—you don’t want to find out what happens when we lose our patience.”

Before Aiden could press further, Rick entered the clearing, his steps brisk. His usual composed demeanor was tinged with urgency.

“Aiden,” Rick said, his voice sharp. “We have a problem.”

Aiden turned, his eyes narrowing. “What is it?”

Rick gestured to a glowing communication crystal in his hand. “Scouts report Abyssal reinforcements moving toward this area. A lot of them. If we don’t leave now, we’ll be surrounded.”

Aiden frowned, his mind racing. They had achieved their objective, but the captured commander held valuable information. The risk of staying, however, was too great.

“Fine,” Aiden said, his decision made. He turned to Myne. “Sedate him. We’ll take him back to the base for interrogation.”

Myne nodded, producing a vial of purple liquid. She poured a few drops onto a cloth and pressed it to the commander’s face. He struggled briefly before his body went limp, the chains rattling as his weight sagged.

“Dren, secure him,” Aiden ordered. “Rick, prepare the extraction team. We’re moving out.”

The group worked quickly, the tension in the air palpable. Within minutes, the teleportation rune was activated, and they vanished from the battlefield just as the distant sound of Abyssal troops grew louder.

Back at the underground base, the atmosphere was a mix of relief and urgency. Engineers and strategists swarmed around Aiden’s team as they returned, the captured commander drawing curious and uneasy glances.

“Lock him up in the containment cells,” Aiden instructed, handing the unconscious Abyssal over to a pair of guards. “Triple the wards. I don’t want any surprises.”

Rick followed Aiden to the strategy room, where a large map of their region was displayed. Red markers indicated Abyssal-controlled areas, while blue represented resistance strongholds.

“What did the scouts report?” Aiden asked, leaning over the table.

Rick sighed, his expression grim. “The Abyss is mobilizing faster than we anticipated. They’re reinforcing all their border towns and have started pushing into neutral zones. If we don’t act quickly, they’ll cut off our supply routes and isolate our bases.”

Aiden studied the map, his mind calculating possibilities. “We need to disrupt their movements. Hit their supply chains, destroy their forward camps, anything to slow them down.”

Rick nodded. “Agreed, but we’ll need to coordinate carefully. One wrong move, and they’ll retaliate hard.”

Aiden glanced at him, a rare flicker of trust in his eyes. “That’s why I need you, Rick. You see the angles others miss.”

Rick smirked, though his tone remained serious. “Flattery won’t save us, but I’ll take it. Let’s get to work.”

Hours later, as the base settled into a tense quiet, Aiden stood alone in the interrogation chamber. The Abyssal commander was restrained in a glowing cage, wards pulsating with energy to prevent escape.

The commander stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He sneered as he saw Aiden. “Back for more? Or are you here to beg for mercy?”

Aiden stepped closer, his expression cold. “Mercy is for those who deserve it. You’re here because you can still be useful. Tell me what I need to know, and maybe I’ll make your end quick.”

The commander laughed, though there was a hint of unease in his voice. “You think you’re in control, but you’re wrong. Malakar is coming, and when he does, your resistance will crumble.”

“Then let him come,” Aiden replied, his voice unwavering. “But you won’t live to see it.”

The room fell silent, the weight of Aiden’s words hanging in the air. The war was far from over, but Aiden knew one thing for certain—no matter the odds, he wouldn’t stop fighting. For his people, for his world, and for the future they deserved.

The Abyssal commander glared at Aiden, his lips curling into a defiant sneer. Despite his injuries, his gaze burned with a mixture of hatred and grim satisfaction. “You think you’re winning, but you’re blind. Malakar doesn’t just destroy his enemies; he consumes them. Everything you hold dear will fuel his rise.”

Aiden studied him, unmoved by the venom in his words. He had faced countless threats, some greater than the Abyss. Threats that had promised the same fate. Yet here he stood, leading a rebellion against an empire that sought to break the world.

“Save the speeches,” Aiden said coldly. “We’ll break Malakar just like we’ve broken everything he’s sent after us.”

The commander laughed again, a hollow sound that echoed in the chamber. “You don’t understand. Malakar isn’t like your other enemies. He’s ancient. Eternal. His power grows with every soul he claims. Every skirmish you think you win only strengthens him.”

Aiden stepped closer to the cage, his expression unreadable. “If Malakar is as eternal as you claim, then why does he need you? Why send you to guard supplies when he could handle us himself?”

The commander’s laughter died in his throat, his face darkening with anger. Aiden had struck a nerve.

“Because he doesn’t waste his time on insects,” the commander snapped. “You’re nothing to him. Just another rebellion doomed to fail. He’s preparing for something far greater than you could comprehend.”

“Then enlighten me,” Aiden replied, his voice sharp. “What is he preparing for?”

The commander’s lips pressed into a thin line, and he turned his gaze away. Aiden sighed, stepping back. He wasn’t expecting immediate cooperation, but every clue mattered. The resistance had fought Malakar’s forces for years, yet the full scope of his plans remained a mystery. If this commander knew something, Aiden would find a way to extract it.

Rick entered the chamber, his face grim. “The scouts confirmed Abyssal reinforcements are setting up a forward base near the southern ridgeline. If they establish a foothold there, they’ll be within striking distance of our supply convoys.”

“How much time do we have?” Aiden asked, turning toward him.