Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 409

Chapter 409: Artifact II

The battle was unlike anything Aiden had faced before. Malakar’s strength and speed were overwhelming, but the orb’s power allowed Aiden to anticipate his moves, countering with precision. Their clashes sent shockwaves through the chamber, the very walls trembling under the force of their blows.

“Is this all you’ve got, boy?” Malakar taunted, his scythe spinning in a deadly arc. “You’re nothing compared to the Abyss!”

Aiden gritted his teeth, his resolve unshaken. “Maybe. But I’m not fighting for myself. I’m fighting for a future where the Abyss doesn’t rule.”

With a final surge of energy, the orb amplified Aiden’s attack, his sword striking Malakar’s scythe with enough force to shatter its blade. Malakar staggered back, a look of disbelief on his face.

“You’ll regret this,” Malakar growled, his form dissolving into shadows. “The Abyss doesn’t forgive, and it doesn’t forget.”

As the warlord vanished, the chamber fell silent once more. Aiden lowered his sword, his breathing heavy. The orb’s glow dimmed slightly, as if exhausted by the effort.

The team rushed to his side, their expressions a mix of relief and concern.

“That was insane,” Rick said, shaking his head. “You just took on an Abyssal Warlord and lived to tell the tale.”

“We don’t have time to celebrate,” Aiden replied, his voice firm. “Malakar’s retreat means reinforcements are coming. We need to move.”

Myne nodded, her usual smirk replaced by a look of determination. “You heard the man. Let’s get out of here.”

As they exited the Vault, the weight of their mission settled on them once again. The Crystalline Orb was a powerful weapon, but it also painted a target on their backs. The Abyss would stop at nothing to reclaim it.

But as Aiden glanced at his team—battle-worn yet unwavering—he felt a flicker of hope. They had taken a step forward, and for now, that was enough.

The team emerged from the vault into the open expanse of the desolate landscape surrounding it. The sky above was choked with dark clouds, streaks of violet lightning flashing ominously in the distance. Aiden’s Spirit Sense extended outward instinctively, scanning for any signs of immediate pursuit. The ground beneath them was cracked and dry, as though even the land had been drained of life.

“Where to now?” Myne asked, stringing her bow as her sharp eyes scanned the horizon.

Aiden took a moment, clutching the Crystalline Orb tightly in his hand. It felt warm, almost alive, as if it were breathing in sync with his own heartbeat. Fragments of ancient maps and locations flickered through his mind, planted there by the orb’s knowledge. A specific point stood out, etched in his consciousness—a place that could be their next sanctuary or their greatest challenge.

“There’s a Forge Master sanctuary not far from here,” Aiden said. “If the orb’s information is accurate, it’s one of their last strongholds before the Abyss wiped them out. It could hold more resources or answers—maybe even allies.”

“Or it could be crawling with Abyssal forces,” Rick added, adjusting the straps on his armor. “If Malakar’s retreating to regroup, they’ll guess we’re heading somewhere important.”

“Let them come,” Thalric growled, hefting his massive axe onto his shoulder. “I’ve been itching for another fight since the constructs.”

Kaelith smirked faintly, though her tail flicked in irritation. “Let’s hope that eagerness doesn’t get us killed.”

“Enough banter,” Aiden interjected. “We move now. The longer we stay here, the more time we give them to track us.”

The group moved swiftly, cutting through the barren wasteland. The journey was silent, save for the crunch of their boots on the brittle ground. The orb’s guidance made navigation easier, pointing Aiden toward hidden paths and avoiding obvious dangers. But the oppressive aura of the Abyss was growing stronger with every step, a constant reminder of the forces hunting them.

After hours of travel, they came upon a jagged canyon with an ancient bridge spanning its width. The bridge was made of blackened metal, intricate carvings of gears and runes etched into its surface. It was a remnant of the Forge Masters, unmistakable in its craftsmanship.

“This is it,” Aiden said, his voice low. The orb pulsed faintly in his hand, as if confirming his words.

Kaelith narrowed her eyes. “It looks abandoned.”

“Looks can be deceiving,” Myne replied, nocking an arrow. “We should assume it’s a trap.”

“Then let’s spring it,” Thalric said, already stepping onto the bridge.

Before anyone could respond, the air around them rippled, and a deep, resonant hum filled the canyon. Figures began to materialize at the far end of the bridge—armored soldiers clad in Abyssal black, their glowing red eyes locked onto the group. Leading them was a tall figure, cloaked in swirling shadows, a jagged spear in his hand.

“Reinforcements,” Rick muttered, his voice grim. “And they brought company.”

The leader of the Abyssal soldiers stepped forward, his voice echoing unnaturally. “Surrender the artifact, and I may grant you a swift death.”

Aiden stepped onto the bridge, his sword drawn. “Come and take it.”

The Abyssal commander raised his spear, and the soldiers charged. The battle erupted in an instant, the clash of steel and the roar of magic filling the air. Thalric was a whirlwind of destruction, his axe cleaving through ranks of soldiers. Myne’s arrows found their marks with unerring precision, each shot imbued with explosive energy. Rick’s defensive spells shielded the group, absorbing the brunt of the enemy’s attacks.

Aiden focused on the commander, their weapons colliding in a series of lightning-fast strikes. The Abyssal warrior was skilled, his movements precise and deadly. But Aiden had the Crystalline Orb. It guided his strikes, predicting the enemy’s moves and exploiting weaknesses in his defense.

“You fight well for a mortal,” the commander hissed, his spear thrusting toward Aiden’s chest.

Aiden sidestepped the attack, his sword slashing across the commander’s armor. “You’ll find we’re not so easy to kill.”

With a burst of energy, Aiden unleashed a technique taught to him by the orb—Celestial Sundering. A wave of radiant energy surged from his blade, cutting through the commander’s defenses and sending him sprawling.