Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 431

Chapter 431: War IV

The teleportation rune deposited Aiden’s team back at their base of operations, a secure underground facility hidden deep within the mountains. The air was heavy with the smell of scorched metal and ozone, remnants of their battle still clinging to their armor. Aiden took a deep breath, steadying himself as the adrenaline began to wear off.

The command room was already bustling with activity. Holographic screens displayed reports from other fronts, and technicians moved with purpose, relaying information and analyzing data. As Aiden and his team entered, all eyes briefly turned toward them, a wave of subdued cheers rippling through the room.

“You’ve done it again, Commander,” said a young officer, her voice tinged with admiration.

Aiden gave a tired nod. “We’ve made progress, but don’t let your guard down. The Abyss always retaliates.”

Rick stepped forward, his helmet tucked under his arm. “We need to debrief and assess the damage. That General was no ordinary opponent. If their forces rally again, they’ll be twice as dangerous.”

“Agreed,” Myne said, her voice calm yet sharp. She leaned against the wall, her shadows still flickering faintly around her like a living shroud. “Their movements felt coordinated, as if they knew we’d attack. Someone tipped them off.”

Dren frowned, his fists clenched. “A traitor?”

“Possibly,” Rick replied, his tone grim. “Or they’ve developed better reconnaissance capabilities. Either way, we need to find out.”

Aiden turned to a nearby console, where a holographic map of the region displayed the area they had just liberated. “We’ll address that, but first, let’s solidify our hold on this sector. Without the General, their forces are in disarray. If we act quickly, we can push further into their territory before they regroup.”

As they discussed strategy, a soft chime interrupted them. One of the technicians turned toward Aiden. “Commander, we’ve intercepted an encrypted transmission. It’s Abyssal in origin, but it’s… strange. The encryption doesn’t match their usual patterns.”

“Put it through,” Aiden said, stepping closer to the main console.

The holographic screen flickered, and a garbled voice emerged from the speakers, speaking in the guttural tones of the Abyssal language. The team exchanged uneasy glances as the technicians worked to translate. Slowly, the message began to take shape:

“Lightbearer… your victory is meaningless. The Abyss is endless. But if you wish to face true despair, come to the Shattered Spire. There, you will understand the futility of your struggle.”

The transmission ended abruptly, leaving the room in silence.

“The Shattered Spire,” Myne muttered, her eyes narrowing. “That’s deep in Abyssal territory. It’s either a trap or…”

“Or they’re challenging us,” Aiden finished, his jaw tightening.

Rick shook his head. “It’s reckless to go. We just won a major battle; walking into their stronghold could undo everything we’ve accomplished.”

“But it’s also an opportunity,” Myne countered. “If they’re calling us out, it means they’re desperate. They’re trying to bait us because they know we’re a threat.”

Aiden stared at the map, his mind racing. The Shattered Spire was a fortress known for its impenetrable defenses and the heart of Abyssal operations in the region. Attacking it would be a monumental risk, but if they succeeded, it could cripple the enemy’s power in this area.

“We’ll need more intel before making a decision,” Aiden finally said. “Dren, coordinate with our scouts. I want a full assessment of the Shattered Spire—troop numbers, defenses, weak points. Rick, prepare contingency plans in case this is a diversion. And Myne…”

She raised an eyebrow, waiting.

“Work with the analysts. If there’s even a hint of internal sabotage, I want to know about it.”

“Understood,” she said, pushing off the wall and heading toward the analysts’ station.

As the team dispersed to carry out their tasks, Aiden lingered by the map, his gaze fixed on the glowing marker representing the Shattered Spire. The Abyss had underestimated him before, and he had no intention of letting them win this time.

“True despair, huh?” he muttered to himself. “We’ll see who breaks first.”

Aiden’s eyes burned with determination as he finally turned away from the map and strode toward his quarters. His body was weary, but his mind raced, dissecting every detail of the intercepted message. If the Abyssal forces truly intended to lure them into the Shattered Spire, it meant two things: they were growing desperate, and they feared what his team could accomplish.

When Aiden entered his private chamber, the quietness felt almost suffocating. He removed his armor piece by piece, each clatter of metal a reminder of how close they had come to losing today. He placed his sword, now dull and heavy, onto a glowing pedestal. The weapon hummed softly as the pedestal began to cleanse and recharge it with radiant energy.

Suddenly, a soft knock on the door broke his thoughts.

“It’s open,” Aiden called, expecting Rick or Myne with an update.

Instead, Nexus stepped in, his face unusually somber. The energy in the room shifted immediately, and Aiden straightened. “You don’t usually show up unless something’s important.”

“Important is an understatement,” Nexus said, stepping closer. His ethereal presence was almost overwhelming in the confined space. “That message—there’s something deeper at play. The Shattered Spire isn’t just a fortress, Aiden. It’s a conduit.”

“A conduit for what?” Aiden asked, his brow furrowing.

“For the Abyss itself,” Nexus said gravely. “That place draws its strength directly from the heart of their corruption. If you go there unprepared, you won’t just face an army—you’ll face the Abyss in its purest form. The kind of darkness that even your light can’t pierce.”

Aiden clenched his fists, his mind flashing back to the battle earlier. The Abyssal General’s words echoed in his head. “You think your light can extinguish the Abyss?”

“I don’t have the luxury of avoiding it,” Aiden said after a moment. “If we leave the Shattered Spire standing, they’ll use it to regroup and counterattack. Every victory we’ve fought for will mean nothing.”

Nexus sighed, his gaze softening. “I knew you’d say that. That’s why I’m here—to give you something that might tip the scales in your favor.”

He reached into the air, and a glowing sigil appeared in his palm. From the sigil emerged a small, shimmering crystal that pulsed with golden and silver light. “This is a fragment of the Everlight Core. It’s not enough to destroy the Abyss, but it can protect you and your team from its influence. Think of it as a shield for your soul.”

Aiden took the crystal, feeling its warmth seep into his hand. It was comforting, like the touch of sunlight after a long night. “Thank you, Nexus. This could make all the difference.”

Nexus nodded. “Don’t thank me yet. The crystal will only buy you time—it won’t make you invincible. You’ll need every ounce of your strength and strategy to survive what’s waiting for you at the Spire.”

As Nexus faded from view, Aiden turned the crystal over in his hand, its glow reflecting in his tired eyes. The weight of the mission bore down on him, but so did the faint spark of hope.