Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 407

Chapter 407: Aetheric Waste IV

Rick hesitated before speaking. “There’s a legend about the Highlands. Deep in the mountains, beyond the Blackspire Chasm, lies a hidden vault—a remnant of the ancient world. It’s said to contain relics of immense power, forged by the First Forge Masters to combat the Abyss during the early wars.”

Kaelith raised an eyebrow. “Sounds convenient. What’s the catch?”

Rick sighed. “The catch is that no one who’s gone looking for it has ever returned. The vault is said to be protected by wards and traps left by the Forge Masters themselves—designed to test the worth of anyone seeking their power.”

Aiden’s gaze hardened. “If it’s real, it’s worth the risk. We need every advantage we can get.”

“Agreed,” Thalric said. “But you can’t go alone. If the Abyss finds out what you’re after, they’ll send everything they have to stop you.”

Aiden nodded. “Then we assemble a team—small, fast, and capable. Kaelith, Myne, Rick, Thalric—I’ll need you with me. Can the Nomads and the Syndicate hold the line while we’re gone?”

Kaelith smirked. “You underestimate my people. We’ll make sure this place is still standing when you get back.”

Thalric grunted. “And my warriors will hold the front. Just don’t take too long, or there won’t be a stronghold left to return to.”

The next morning, the team set out at first light, leaving the fortified Highlands behind. The journey to Blackspire Chasm was fraught with danger—treacherous terrain, roaming Abyssal patrols, and the ever-present threat of being discovered.

As they reached the edge of the chasm, the air grew cold and heavy, filled with an unnatural stillness. The ground was blackened, as though scorched by ancient fires, and the jagged cliffs seemed to pulse with a faint, otherworldly energy.

“This is it,” Rick said, his voice barely above a whisper. “The entrance should be somewhere down there.”

Aiden peered into the darkness below. “Let’s move. Stay close and stay alert.”

The descent into the chasm was grueling. Narrow ledges, crumbling rocks, and the oppressive weight of the atmosphere made every step a challenge. Myne led the way, her sharp eyes scanning for traps or signs of danger.

After hours of careful navigation, they reached a cavernous opening at the base of the chasm. Massive stone doors loomed before them, carved with intricate runes that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light.

Kaelith ran her fingers over the runes, her expression serious. “These wards are ancient—way beyond anything I’ve ever seen. It’s going to take time to figure out how to get through without triggering something unpleasant.”

“Time we might not have,” Myne said, her hand on her weapon. “Something’s coming.”

From the shadows, the low growls of Abyssal creatures echoed through the cavern. Red eyes glinted in the darkness, and the team braced themselves for a fight.

“Kaelith, work on the door,” Aiden commanded, drawing his sword. “The rest of us will hold them off.”

As Kaelith knelt before the door, deciphering the ancient runes, the Abyssal creatures attacked. Clawed beasts, serpentine horrors, and shadowy wraiths poured into the cavern, their cries echoing like a chorus of nightmares.

Aiden and the others fought with everything they had, holding the line against the onslaught. Thalric’s axe cleaved through the creatures with brutal efficiency, while Myne’s arrows found their marks with deadly precision. Rick unleashed bursts of fire and lightning, his spells illuminating the cavern in flashes of brilliant light.

But the Abyssal forces were relentless, and the team was slowly being pushed back.

“How much longer?” Aiden shouted over the chaos.

Kaelith didn’t look up from her work. “Almost there! Just keep them off me!”

A sudden, bone-chilling roar echoed through the cavern as a massive Abyssal beast emerged from the shadows. Towering over the others, its jagged, blackened armor and glowing red eyes marked it as a commander.

“Great,” Thalric muttered. “Just what we needed.”

Aiden stepped forward, his sword glowing with ethereal energy. “I’ll handle it. Keep the rest at bay!”

The battle with the Abyssal commander was fierce, each strike sending shockwaves through the cavern. Aiden’s movements were a blur, his blade clashing against the beast’s massive claws.

Finally, with a surge of energy, Kaelith shouted, “Got it!” The stone doors groaned and creaked as they slowly swung open, revealing a corridor bathed in golden light.

“Inside, now!” Aiden ordered, parrying a blow from the Abyssal commander and leaping back.

The team retreated through the doors, and Kaelith quickly activated a mechanism to seal them shut. The Abyssal creatures clawed at the barrier, but the ancient runes flared to life, repelling them.

Breathing heavily, the team turned to face the corridor ahead. The golden light illuminated walls lined with intricate carvings depicting battles, forging, and the rise of powerful heroes.

Rick let out a low whistle. “If the legends are true, we’re standing in the Vault of the Forge Masters.”

Aiden gripped his sword tightly, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. “Let’s find out what’s waiting for us.”

The golden light pulsing within the Vault cast long shadows as the group cautiously advanced, each step echoing in the grand, silent corridor. The air was thick with energy, a mixture of awe and tension weighing heavily on the group. The carvings lining the walls seemed almost alive, their etched figures locked in eternal struggle against the Abyss.

Rick studied the intricate details as they walked. “The Forge Masters weren’t just craftsmen. They were warriors, scholars, and protectors of balance. This place… it’s their final legacy.”

“Let’s hope their legacy can help us survive,” Myne muttered, her bow held tightly, an arrow already nocked.

They reached a vast chamber, its ceiling disappearing into darkness. At its center stood a pedestal, upon which rested three distinct objects, each radiating immense power:

A hammer of pure star-metal, its head inscribed with shifting runes that glowed faintly.

A crystalline orb, swirling with colors that seemed to hold fragments of reality itself.

A set of obsidian gauntlets, their jagged surface pulsing with a deep crimson light.

Kaelith’s sharp intake of breath broke the silence. “These are artifacts of the Forge Masters. They’re beyond anything we’ve ever seen.”

“Artifacts this powerful don’t come without challenges,” Aiden said, scanning the room. “Stay on guard.”