Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 410

Chapter 410: Artifact III

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.

The remaining soldiers faltered at the sight of their leader’s defeat. Sensing their hesitation, Thalric let out a deafening battle cry and charged, scattering the remaining Abyssal forces. Myne’s arrows finished off the stragglers, and soon the battlefield was silent once more.

The group regrouped on the bridge, their breaths heavy but their spirits unbroken. Aiden turned to the others, the orb’s glow dimming slightly in his hand.

“This is only the beginning,” he said. “The Abyss won’t stop until they’ve destroyed everything. But as long as we have this…” He held up the orb. “…we have a chance.”

Kaelith nodded, her expression serious. “Then let’s make it count.”

With renewed determination, they crossed the bridge and continued their journey, the sanctuary looming ahead—a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness.

The sanctuary stood before them, a colossal fortress carved into the canyon walls. Its entrance was marked by a towering set of steel gates, engraved with intricate runes glowing faintly in the dim light. Time and war had left their scars on the structure, with cracks running through the walls and scorch marks blackening its surface. Yet, it radiated an undeniable presence, as though it were alive and watching.

“This place…” Rick muttered, running his fingers over one of the glowing runes on the gate. “It’s ancient, but the energy feels… untouched.”

“The Forge Masters didn’t build their sanctuaries to crumble,” Myne said. “If their legacy lives anywhere, it’s here.”

Aiden stepped forward, the Crystalline Orb pulsing in his grip. The gate responded, the runes flaring to life with brilliant light. The sound of grinding metal echoed through the canyon as the gates slowly creaked open, revealing a dark corridor beyond.

“Stay sharp,” Aiden warned. “The Abyss isn’t the only threat out here.”

The group moved cautiously through the entrance, their footsteps echoing in the vast, empty corridor. The air was thick with the scent of oil and metal, and the faint hum of dormant machinery filled their ears. Strange, angular statues lined the walls, each one depicting Forge Masters in the midst of crafting. Their expressions were fierce, their hands holding tools that glowed faintly even after centuries.

“This place gives me the creeps,” Thalric muttered, his axe gripped tightly. “Feels like those statues are watching us.”

“They probably are,” Myne replied, her voice laced with unease. “Forge Masters were paranoid. Their sanctuaries were rumored to have defenses that could kill even the strongest intruders.”

As if to confirm her words, the corridor suddenly came alive. Lights flickered on, casting the statues in an eerie glow. The floor beneath their feet shifted, and an ethereal voice echoed through the chamber.

“State your purpose or be annihilated.”

The group froze, weapons at the ready. Aiden stepped forward, holding the Crystalline Orb high. “We seek the knowledge and strength of the Forge Masters. We fight against the Abyss.”

The voice went silent for a moment, as if processing his words. Then, the light from the orb spread, illuminating the entire corridor. The statues’ eyes glowed brighter, and their hands shifted, pointing their tools toward the group.

“Prove your worth. Only those chosen by the Forge may enter.”

Without warning, the statues came to life, stepping off their pedestals and advancing toward the group. Their movements were mechanical but unnervingly fluid, and the tools they carried radiated deadly energy.

“Here we go!” Thalric roared, charging the nearest statue. His axe swung in a wide arc, only for the statue to catch it with a glowing hammer. Sparks flew as the two forces clashed.

Myne leapt into action, her arrows finding their marks with surgical precision. Yet, the statues seemed impervious to most of her attacks, their metal bodies shrugging off the explosions.

Rick summoned barriers of light to block the advancing statues, but even his strongest shields began to crack under the relentless assault.

“These things are no joke!” he shouted, sweat dripping down his face.

Aiden clenched his jaw, the orb feeding him fragments of knowledge about the statues’ design. “Aim for the core in their chests! That’s where their energy is concentrated!”

The group adjusted their strategy. Myne’s arrows pierced the chest of one statue, hitting the glowing core and causing it to collapse into a heap of metal. Thalric followed suit, his axe smashing through another core with a thunderous crash.

Despite their efforts, the statues kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. Aiden gripped his sword tightly, channeling the orb’s power into his strikes. With each swing, he unleashed waves of energy that cut through multiple statues at once, but it was clear they were being tested to their limits.

“Keep pushing!” Aiden shouted. “The Forge Masters didn’t make it easy for anyone, but we’ve come too far to fall here!”

As the battle raged on, the chamber began to shift again. The floor split apart, revealing a massive forge at its center. Flames erupted from its depths, and the heat was nearly unbearable. Above the forge, a single statue loomed larger than the rest, its form more intricate and menacing. It stepped forward, wielding a colossal hammer that glowed with molten energy.

“Myne,” Aiden called out, “focus on the big one! We’ll handle the rest!”

She nodded, drawing a special arrow from her quiver. It shimmered with energy, its tip glowing like a miniature sun. She took aim, her breath steady despite the chaos around her.

The massive statue raised its hammer, preparing to strike. Myne released the arrow, and it streaked through the air like a comet, hitting the statue’s chest dead center. The explosion was blinding, and when the light faded, the giant statue was on one knee, its core exposed and flickering.

“Now!” Aiden yelled, charging forward. He leapt onto the statue, driving his sword into the exposed core. The orb’s energy surged through him, amplifying the attack. With a deafening crack, the statue shattered, its pieces falling into the forge below.

The remaining statues froze in place, their energy fading as the forge’s flames dimmed. The chamber grew silent, save for the heavy breathing of the group.

The ethereal voice spoke again, softer this time. “You have proven your worth. The legacy of the Forge Masters is yours to claim.”

A door opened at the far end of the chamber, revealing a staircase leading downward. Aiden turned to the group, his face grim but determined.

“Let’s finish this.”