Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 413

Chapter 413: Abyssal

Later that night, Aiden found himself alone in the forge chamber. The golden flames cast long shadows on the walls, and the air was thick with the scent of molten metal. He approached the forge, placing his hands on its edge.

“I need your help,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the crackling flames. “If we’re going to stop the Abyss, I need more than just weapons. I need answers. How do we fight something that corrupts everything it touches?”

The forge flared, its light intensifying as if responding to his plea. Images began to form in the flames—visions of battles fought long ago, of heroes who had stood against the Abyss and won. Aiden watched, his mind racing as he absorbed the knowledge.

One image lingered longer than the rest—a symbol, intricate and glowing with a light that seemed to repel the darkness. It was a seal, a mark of protection against the Abyss’s corruption.

Aiden reached out, his hand trembling as he traced the symbol in the air. “A seal… a barrier against their influence. This could work.”

The forge’s light dimmed, and a deep voice resonated in his mind. “The seal is a weapon of purity, forged from the light of unyielding resolve. To create it, you must temper your spirit, for the Abyss will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine.”

Aiden nodded, his resolve hardening. “I’ll do whatever it takes. Just show me the way.”

The forge flared once more, and Aiden knew that his next task had been set. He would forge the seal—a weapon not of steel, but of light and willpower. And with it, he would give the resistance a fighting chance against the Abyss.

The battle was far from over, but Aiden’s path was clear. And as long as he had the Eternal Forge, he would keep fighting—for his friends, for the resistance, and for a future free from the Abyss’s shadow.

The days that followed were a blur of relentless preparation. The forge chamber became Aiden’s sanctuary as he worked tirelessly to decipher the visions imparted by the Eternal Forge. The symbol of the seal haunted his mind, its intricate patterns refusing to be ignored. Every hammer strike, every spark of the forge brought him closer to understanding the craftsmanship needed to manifest such a powerful artifact.

Rick and Myne coordinated the resistance’s growing numbers, ensuring the recruits were trained, supplies distributed, and scouts deployed. The underground base buzzed with determination, a stark contrast to the looming threat of the Abyss. Yet, despite the activity, a heavy tension hung over everyone. Rumors of Vassago’s approach spread like wildfire, and the whispered name carried an air of dread.

In the forge, Aiden stood before a glowing ingot of celestial steel, a material imbued with the essence of light itself. It was rare—Rick had called in every favor and contact to secure it. Aiden’s hands trembled as he placed the ingot onto the anvil, knowing this was the foundation of the seal.

As he raised his hammer, the forge’s flames danced and flickered, as if encouraging him. His thoughts drifted to his team, the resistance, and the countless innocents they were fighting for. The hammer came down with a thunderous clang, and a pulse of energy rippled through the chamber.

The symbol began to take form, each strike embedding a fragment of his resolve into the metal. The work was grueling, and the hours stretched into days. Myne often appeared, silently leaving food and water nearby before disappearing again. Rick would occasionally peek in, offering a word of encouragement or a lighthearted quip to break the monotony.

On the fourth day, Aiden’s progress was interrupted by Myne bursting into the chamber, her expression grim. “Aiden, we’ve got trouble.”

He set the hammer down, wiping sweat from his brow. “What is it?”

“Scouts just returned from the borderlands. The Black Tide isn’t just moving—it’s consuming everything in its path. Villages, forests, even rivers. And it’s heading straight for us.”

Aiden’s jaw tightened. “How far?”

“Two days at most,” Myne said. “Maybe less if they’re using their corruption to accelerate.”

Aiden’s mind raced. Two days wasn’t enough time to finish the seal, but abandoning it now could mean disaster. “I need more time.”

Rick entered the chamber, his expression unusually serious. “Then we’ll buy you some. Myne and I can lead a diversionary strike, slow them down long enough for you to finish.”

“It’s too dangerous,” Aiden said, shaking his head. “If you get caught—”

Rick cut him off with a grin. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to. We’ve handled worse odds before.”

Myne smirked, her shadowmancy flickering around her. “He’s right. Besides, this isn’t about us. It’s about giving you the time to finish what you started. The seal is our best chance, and we’re not letting the Abyss take that away.”

Aiden hesitated, his gaze shifting between his two closest allies. Their determination was unwavering, and he knew arguing would be futile. “Fine,” he said at last. “But you have to promise me—you’ll come back.”

Rick clapped him on the shoulder. “We always do.”

As Myne and Rick led a team of fighters toward the Black Tide’s approach, Aiden returned to the forge with renewed urgency. Every strike of the hammer carried the weight of their sacrifice, their trust, and their unwavering belief in him.

The celestial steel began to hum with energy, the symbol of the seal glowing brighter with each passing hour. Aiden’s focus was absolute, his mind and spirit attuned to the task. The forge seemed to resonate with his determination, its flames burning hotter and brighter than ever before.

By the time the seal was nearly complete, Aiden’s body was exhausted, but his resolve was unshaken. He could feel the power radiating from the artifact—a force of light and purity strong enough to stand against the Abyss.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Rick and Myne’s diversionary strike was in full swing. The Black Tide was a monstrous force, a living sea of darkness that twisted and consumed everything it touched. Yet, Rick’s unrelenting spirit and Myne’s cunning tactics kept the Abyss at bay, buying precious time for Aiden to finish his work.

As the tide surged forward, a new presence emerged—a towering figure clad in blackened armor, its crimson eyes glowing with malevolence. Vassago had arrived, and with him, the true might of the Abyss.

Rick and Myne exchanged a glance, their resolve hardening. They had faced impossible odds before, and they weren’t about to back down now.

Back at the forge, the seal was finally complete. Aiden held the artifact in his hands, its radiant light banishing the shadows around him. He could feel its power—a beacon of hope in the face of despair.

But he also knew the battle wasn’t over. The seal was only the beginning, and the fight against the Abyss would demand everything they had.

With the seal in hand, Aiden stepped out of the forge, ready to face whatever came next. The war was far from won, but for the first time, he felt the faintest glimmer of hope. And as long as that light burned, he would keep fighting—no matter the cost.