Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 405

Chapter 405: Aetheric Waste II

The safehouse was dimly lit, its stone walls insulated against the harsh energy storms outside. The survivors of Aiden’s strike team sprawled on makeshift bedding, exhausted but victorious. Aiden stood apart from them, staring at the night sky through a narrow window, his thoughts already racing ahead.

Myne approached, her footsteps silent. “You did good today,” she said, leaning against the wall beside him. “We all did.”

Aiden didn’t turn, his eyes fixed on the swirling energies in the distance. “It’s not enough. We’ve slowed them down, but they’ll come back stronger.”

“True,” Myne admitted. “But you gave people hope, Aiden. That’s not nothing.”

Before he could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them. Rick opened it cautiously, revealing a hooded figure flanked by two Skyfury Nomads. The figure stepped inside, pulling back their hood to reveal an elven woman with sharp features and piercing emerald eyes.

“Name’s Kaelith,” she said, her voice smooth and confident. “Leader of the Skyfury Nomads. I’ve come to discuss our… alliance.”

Aiden turned to face her, his expression unreadable. “Your people have already helped us. What more do you want to discuss?”

Kaelith smiled, a sly curve of her lips. “Terms, of course. We’ll fight the Abyss with you, but we’re not doing it for free. The Skyfury Nomads are a proud people, and we expect compensation.”

“What kind of compensation?” Rick asked, crossing his arms.

“Territory,” Kaelith replied without hesitation. “When this war is over, we want control of the Aetheric Wastes. All of it.”

The room fell silent. Myne raised an eyebrow, her arms folded. “Bold of you to assume we’ll win.”

Kaelith shrugged, unbothered by the jab. “We’ve staked our survival on worse odds. But the Wastes are valuable, and we want them. In exchange, you’ll have the full might of the Skyfury Nomads at your back.”

Aiden studied her, his mind weighing the proposal. The Wastes were dangerous and largely uninhabitable, but they were rich in resources. Handing them over could strengthen the Nomads—and potentially create a new power dynamic post-war.

“Your terms are… ambitious,” he said carefully. “But the Wastes aren’t mine to give.”

“They will be,” Kaelith said confidently. “If you win this war, you’ll be the one carving up the map.”

Rick frowned. “And if we refuse?”

Kaelith’s smile didn’t falter. “Then we fight alone. You’re strong, Aiden, but you can’t defeat the Abyss without allies.”

Aiden considered her words, the weight of the decision settling on his shoulders. The Nomads’ help could be a turning point in the war, but their price was steep.

“Fine,” he said at last. “Help us win, and the Wastes are yours. But cross us, and you’ll find yourself fighting more than just the Abyss.”

Kaelith extended a hand. “Deal.”

Aiden shook it, sealing the alliance. Myne watched the exchange with a skeptical look, but she said nothing.

The next few days were a blur of preparation. The alliance with the Skyfury Nomads brought new fighters and resources, bolstering the resistance’s ranks. Meanwhile, Myne’s informants uncovered more disturbing news: the Abyss was massing its forces for a counterattack.

“They’re targeting the Ironshade Syndicate,” Myne reported during a strategy meeting. “Probably to punish them for siding with us.”

Rick cursed under his breath. “Damn it. If they fall, we lose a major supply line.”

“We can’t let that happen,” Aiden said firmly. “We’ll reinforce their position.”

“That’s easier said than done,” Dren pointed out. “The Syndicate’s stronghold is deep in the Shadowed Highlands—prime Abyss territory.”

“Then we’ll cut through,” Aiden said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “If we lose the Syndicate, we lose this war.”

The march to the Shadowed Highlands was fraught with danger. Abyssal patrols roamed the area, forcing the resistance to move cautiously. Aiden led from the front, his presence inspiring confidence in his followers.

As they neared the Syndicate’s stronghold, the sounds of battle reached their ears. The Abyss was already attacking, their forces laying siege to the fortress-like structure.

“We don’t have time for subtlety,” Aiden said, drawing his blade. “Charge!”

The resistance surged forward, crashing into the Abyssal forces with a ferocity that caught them off guard. Aiden cut through the enemy ranks like a whirlwind, his blade glowing with ethereal energy. Behind him, Rick and Dren fought side by side, their combined strength devastating the enemy.

At the gates of the stronghold, they found the Syndicate’s leader, a burly man named Thalric, holding off a group of Abyssal elites. Aiden joined the fight, his arrival turning the tide.

“About time you showed up,” Thalric said, grinning through bloodied teeth. “Thought we were done for.”

“Not on my watch,” Aiden replied, cutting down the last of the elites.

Together, they drove the Abyssal forces back, forcing them to retreat. The Syndicate’s stronghold was battered but still standing.

“You saved us,” Thalric said, clasping Aiden’s hand. “The Syndicate owes you.”

“Then repay us by staying in the fight,” Aiden said. “This war isn’t over.”

Thalric nodded. “You have my word.”

As the resistance regrouped, Aiden allowed himself a moment of relief. They had won another battle, but the road ahead was still long and treacherous. For now, though, they had bought themselves a little more time—and a little more hope.

The battered halls of the Syndicate’s stronghold were quickly repurposed as a command center. Aiden, Myne, Rick, Thalric, and Kaelith stood around a rough-hewn table strewn with maps and reports. The flickering light of a single crystal lantern cast long shadows on their determined faces.

Thalric slammed a gauntleted fist onto the table. “The Abyss isn’t going to give up. They’ll regroup and come back with twice the numbers. If we’re going to hold the Highlands, we need a proper strategy.”

Kaelith crossed her arms, her emerald eyes scanning the map. “The terrain here favors defense. The narrow passes and ridges can be fortified, but it’ll take time—and we don’t have much of that.”

Rick gestured to the east. “We could fall back to the Riverbane Cliffs. It’s easier to defend, and the Syndicate’s supply lines can stretch that far.”

“No,” Aiden said firmly, his voice cutting through the chatter. “We hold here. Retreating now would only embolden the Abyss. We need to show them that every step forward will cost them dearly.”

Myne raised an eyebrow. “Bold, but how do you plan to make that happen? The Syndicate’s forces are depleted, and even with the Nomads, we’re outnumbered.”

Aiden looked at Kaelith. “How quickly can your people set traps and ambush points in the surrounding terrain?”