Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 418

Chapter 418: Abyssal VI

When they finally emerged from the Spire, the harsh sunlight felt almost blinding. The sight of the open sky brought a collective sigh of relief, but their respite was short-lived.

Standing at the edge of the clearing was a figure clad in dark, ornate armor. His presence was suffocating, radiating an aura that felt like a concentrated shard of the Abyss itself. His crimson eyes locked onto Aiden, and a wicked smile spread across his face.

“Well, well,” the man said, his voice dripping with mockery. “The little heroes managed to shatter the anchor. Impressive—futile, but impressive.”

Aiden stepped forward, though his body protested every movement. “Who are you?”

The man tilted his head, as if amused by the question. “You can call me Malrik, Herald of the Abyss. And you… you’re the one carrying that fascinating little seal, aren’t you?”

Aiden’s grip tightened on his weapon. “If you’re here to take it, you’ll have to go through me.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that,” Malrik replied, his smile widening. “But I wonder, how much longer can you last before that power consumes you?”

The air around Malrik darkened as he drew a jagged blade that seemed to hum with malevolent energy. “Let’s find out, shall we?”

The battle that followed was unlike anything the group had faced before. Malrik’s power was overwhelming, his every strike laced with Abyssal energy that warped the very air around him. Garrick and Rick engaged him head-on, their combined strength barely enough to hold him at bay. Alina’s arrows streaked through the air, but Malrik deflected them with ease, his movements unnervingly fluid.

Lila and Myne worked in tandem, creating barriers and launching spells to support the others, but even their combined magic seemed to barely scratch him.

Aiden, despite his condition, pushed himself into the fray. The seal flared brighter than ever, his attacks carrying a destructive force that matched Malrik blow for blow. But each time he drew on the seal’s power, he felt it gnawing at him, the whispers growing louder, more insistent.

“You’re strong,” Malrik said, his tone almost admiring. “But you’re fighting a losing battle. That seal you cling to? It’s not your salvation—it’s your undoing.”

Aiden gritted his teeth, refusing to be baited. “You talk too much.”

With a roar, he unleashed a powerful strike, the seal’s energy erupting in a blinding flash. Malrik was forced to retreat, but his laughter echoed through the clearing.

“Interesting,” he said, his voice filled with dark amusement. “Very interesting. You might just be worth keeping alive—for now.”

Before anyone could react, Malrik disappeared, his form dissolving into shadows. The oppressive aura vanished with him, leaving the group standing in stunned silence.

They didn’t linger. The encounter had left them shaken, and Aiden’s condition was worsening. By the time they returned to the camp, he was barely conscious, his body trembling from the strain.

As Myne and Lila worked to stabilize him, the others gathered to discuss what had happened.

“That man… Malrik,” Garrick said, his expression grim. “He’s not just some lackey. He’s a monster.”

“And he’s after Aiden,” Alina added. “If we don’t find a way to deal with that seal, he won’t stand a chance next time.”

Rick crossed his arms, his usual humor absent. “Then we’d better figure it out fast. Because something tells me Malrik isn’t the only one coming for him.”

Myne glanced at Aiden, her jaw set with determination. “We’ll figure it out. We have to.”

As night fell over the camp, one thing was clear: the fight against the Abyss was far from over, and the road ahead would only grow more perilous. But for now, they had each other—and that was a start.

The campfire crackled softly in the night, its warm glow illuminating the weary faces of the group. Aiden lay motionless on a bedroll, his breaths shallow but steady, the flickering seal on his chest dimming as Lila’s magic worked tirelessly to stabilize him. Myne sat beside him, arms crossed and frustration written across her face. She kept glancing at him, her jaw tightening each time the seal pulsed faintly, as if mocking their inability to solve the problem.

Rick poked at the fire with a stick, breaking the tense silence. “We need a plan. If Malrik was a ‘herald,’ that means there are more like him. And if Aiden’s seal keeps drawing attention, it’s only a matter of time before the rest show up.”

Garrick nodded grimly. “We’re out of our depth. Fighting off shadows, anchors, and now a Herald? It’s clear we’re dealing with something far beyond what we’ve prepared for.”

Alina, sharpening her arrows with deliberate focus, chimed in. “Then we adapt. We find someone who knows more about the Abyss and this seal. There has to be someone who’s dealt with this before.”

Lila paused her spellwork to speak, her voice calm but firm. “Knowledge of the Abyss is rare and dangerous. Most scholars who delve into it either go mad or disappear. But… there is one place that might hold answers.”

Myne’s gaze snapped to her. “Where?”

Lila hesitated, her eyes flicking to Aiden before she continued. “The Astral Sanctum. It’s a hidden library, said to contain ancient records about everything from forgotten gods to forbidden magics. If there’s any information about the Abyss or the seal, it would be there.”

Rick raised an eyebrow. “Sounds promising. What’s the catch?”

“The Sanctum is hidden for a reason,” Lila replied. “It’s protected by powerful wards, and it’s said that only those deemed worthy by the Astral Keepers can enter. Not to mention, it’s in the heart of the Luminaris Expanse—a place crawling with deadly beasts and traps.”

Garrick let out a low whistle. “So, a suicide mission.”

“It’s our best shot,” Myne said sharply, standing up. Her eyes burned with determination. “Aiden doesn’t have time for us to sit around debating. If this Sanctum has answers, we’re going.”

Rick held up his hands defensively. “Alright, alright. No need to bite my head off. I’m in.”

Alina nodded. “Me too. If this is what it takes to save him, then let’s do it.”