Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 424

Chapter 424: Abyssal XII

Aiden stopped in front of the massive gates, which bore intricate carvings of an ancient battle. The carvings depicted figures of unimaginable size, their weapons tearing through the very fabric of reality. In the center of the gate was a sigil glowing faintly—an eight-pointed star surrounded by serpentine patterns.

Nexus examined the sigil with a furrowed brow. “This is a Lock of Dominion. It’s not just a barrier—it’s a test. Only someone deemed worthy can open it.”

Aiden stepped forward without hesitation. “Then let it test me.”

The sigil pulsed in response to his voice, and a tendril of Abyssal energy reached out, wrapping around his wrist. The energy burned like liquid fire, but Aiden didn’t flinch. Instead, he allowed it to flow into him, his Abyssal Seal glowing brighter in response.

The sigil’s voice echoed in his mind, ancient and commanding. “Prove your worth, Abyssal Bearer. Show us the strength of your will.”

Aiden’s surroundings shifted abruptly. He was no longer standing before the fortress but in a vast void, surrounded by countless stars. Before him stood a towering figure cloaked in shadow, its eyes glowing with a predatory red light. The figure radiated power, and Aiden knew instinctively that this was no ordinary opponent.

“You must face yourself,” the figure said, its voice a perfect mirror of Aiden’s. “Only by overcoming your own darkness can you claim dominion over the Abyss.”

Without warning, the figure lunged, its blade slicing through the void with impossible speed. Aiden barely managed to parry, the force of the attack sending shockwaves through the empty space. The figure fought with precision and ferocity, each strike exploiting Aiden’s weaknesses and forcing him onto the defensive.

“This isn’t just a battle of strength,” Aiden realized, gritting his teeth as he blocked another blow. “It’s testing my resolve.”

The figure’s attacks grew more relentless, each one accompanied by whispers of doubt and fear. Aiden’s failures, his regrets, and the weight of his choices all surfaced, threatening to overwhelm him.

“Why do you fight?” the figure taunted, its voice dripping with malice. “For power? For revenge? For a purpose you can’t even define?”

Aiden clenched his jaw, refusing to be swayed. “I fight because I must. Because giving up isn’t an option.”

His Abyssal Seal flared with renewed intensity, and he countered with a flurry of strikes, each one fueled by his unwavering determination. The whispers grew louder, but Aiden focused on the rhythm of the battle, letting his instincts guide him.

The figure faltered, its form flickering as Aiden’s strikes began to connect. With one final, decisive blow, Aiden’s blade shattered the shadowy figure, dispersing it into the void.

The stars around him dimmed, and the void dissolved, bringing him back to the fortress gates. The sigil on the gate glowed brightly before fading away, and the massive doors groaned as they began to open.

The others stared at him, their expressions a mix of awe and apprehension. Myne was the first to break the silence. “You passed.”

Aiden nodded, stepping through the gates without hesitation. “Stay close. Whatever’s inside, we’re facing it together.”

The interior of the fortress was as daunting as its exterior. The walls were lined with ancient runes, and the air crackled with Abyssal energy. At the center of the massive hall stood a throne carved from obsidian, its surface pulsating with dark light. Seated upon it was a figure clad in black armor, its face obscured by a jagged helm. The figure’s presence was overwhelming, like a black hole that threatened to consume everything around it.

“You have come far,” the figure said, its voice deep and resonant. “But the Abyss does not grant its power freely. If you wish to claim dominion, you must prove yourself worthy of the throne.”

Aiden stepped forward, his sword at the ready. “Then let’s finish this.”

The figure rose from the throne, its armor shifting like liquid shadow. In its hand appeared a massive greatsword, the blade humming with Abyssal energy. The room darkened as the figure’s aura spread, filling the hall with an oppressive force.

The battle began, and the fortress trembled with the clash of their powers. Aiden’s blade met the figure’s greatsword in a shower of sparks, each strike sending shockwaves through the air. The others watched from the sidelines, unable to interfere but ready to step in if needed.

“You carry the Abyss within you,” the figure said as they fought. “But do you understand what it means to bear such power? To shoulder the weight of eternity?”

“I don’t need to understand,” Aiden replied, his strikes growing more precise. “I just need to win.”

The figure laughed, a deep, echoing sound. “Then show me the strength of your conviction.”

Aiden’s Abyssal Seal flared brighter than ever, and he unleashed a technique he had never used before—Abyssal Convergence. His blade absorbed the surrounding energy, condensing it into a single, devastating strike.

The figure moved to counter, but it was too late. Aiden’s attack struck true, shattering the greatsword and sending the figure crashing back onto the throne. The room fell silent, the oppressive aura dissipating.

The figure’s armor dissolved, revealing a man with piercing silver eyes and a faint smile. “You’ve proven yourself, Aiden. The Abyss acknowledges you as its rightful bearer.”

The throne’s light dimmed, and a new sigil appeared on Aiden’s Abyssal Seal—a mark of dominion over the Abyss.

As the man faded into the shadows, his voice echoed one last time. “The throne is yours. Use it wisely.”

The fortress trembled once more, but this time, it felt like the very structure was bowing to Aiden’s will. He turned to the others, his expression calm but determined.

“Let’s move. We’ve got a lot more to conquer.”

As the tremors subsided, the fortress began to change. The oppressive darkness that had filled the air softened, replaced by a more subdued, controlled energy. The writhing walls calmed, their ghostly whispers turning into a low hum, as if acknowledging their new master. Aiden’s Abyssal Seal pulsed faintly on his arm, its new sigil glowing like a brand of authority.

The others followed him deeper into the hall, where a set of stairs spiraled down into the heart of the fortress. Myne walked beside him, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings for any lingering threats. Nexus, though quiet, radiated a mix of pride and relief. Behind them, the rest of the group remained vigilant, ready for anything.