Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 438

Chapter 438: War XI

The teleportation array deposited the team on the outskirts of a dense, fog-shrouded forest. The air was heavy with an unnatural chill, and the faint echoes of Abyssal whispers seemed to slither through the trees. The forest marked the edge of their first target—a forward operating base that served as a key supply point for Abyssal forces in the region.

Aiden unsheathed his sword, its faint golden glow cutting through the murky darkness. “Everyone ready?” he asked, his voice low but commanding.

Rick scanned the perimeter, his tactical visor glowing faintly. “Perimeter clear for now, but we’re deep in Abyssal territory. We need to move fast.”

Dren cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing ominously. “The faster, the better. This place feels… wrong.”

Myne stepped forward, her shadowmancy already seeping into the surroundings. Tendrils of darkness coiled around her, blending her form into the shadows. “I’ll scout ahead. Stay sharp.”

Without another word, she melted into the fog, her presence vanishing as if she had never been there. The rest of the team advanced cautiously, their senses heightened as they moved deeper into the forest.

Myne’s shadowy form slipped through the trees, her movements silent and deliberate. The Abyssal base loomed ahead, a crude fortress of blackened stone and writhing tendrils of corrupted energy. Abyssal soldiers patrolled the perimeter, their glowing red eyes scanning the darkness.

Her shadow tendrils extended, probing the structure and its defenses. She spotted the central supply depot—a large, reinforced chamber near the heart of the base. If they could destroy it, the Abyssal forces would lose a critical foothold in the region.

She whispered into the team’s comm channel. “Base spotted. Moderate resistance—several patrols, plus heavier defenses near the depot. I’ll mark their positions.”

Rick’s voice crackled in response. “Got it. Sit tight. We’re moving in.”

The team regrouped at the edge of the clearing surrounding the base. Myne reappeared silently, her shadows retreating into her body as she relayed the layout and patrol patterns she’d observed.

Rick nodded, formulating the plan on the fly. “Dren, you’re on distraction duty. Hit the eastern perimeter hard and loud. Myne, you’ll disable their defensive wards. Aiden and I will handle the supply depot.”

Aiden raised an eyebrow. “You sure you don’t want me on the front lines with Dren?”

Rick grinned. “I need you with me for this one. Besides, Dren can handle himself.”

Dren smirked, hefting his massive warhammer. “Don’t worry about me, boss. I’ll keep them busy.”

With the plan in place, the team sprang into action.

Dren’s warhammer slammed into the ground near the eastern perimeter, sending a shockwave rippling through the base. Abyssal soldiers scrambled to respond as the hulking warrior charged into their midst, his weapon a blur of destructive force. Each swing of his hammer sent soldiers flying, their formations crumbling under his relentless assault.

Meanwhile, Myne slipped through the shadows, her tendrils snaking into the Abyssal wards protecting the base. She focused, her shadowmancy unraveling the intricate web of corrupted energy that powered the defenses. The wards flickered and died, leaving the base vulnerable.

“Wards are down,” she reported.

“Good work,” Rick replied. “Aiden, let’s move.”

The two darted through the chaos, slipping past distracted patrols as they made their way to the supply depot. The air grew heavier with Abyssal energy the closer they got, but Aiden’s golden aura pushed back the oppressive darkness, clearing their path.

Inside the depot, stacks of corrupted supplies and energy conduits lined the walls. Abyssal engineers scrambled to respond, but Aiden cut them down with swift, precise strikes. Rick set charges along the conduits, his movements efficient and methodical.

“Charges are set,” Rick said, stepping back. “Let’s finish this.”

Aiden nodded and raised his sword, channeling his energy into the blade. The weapon glowed brighter and brighter until it became blinding. With a single, decisive slash, he unleashed a wave of pure light that tore through the depot, igniting the charges and triggering a massive explosion.

The shockwave rocked the entire base, and the Abyssal forces outside faltered. Dren seized the opportunity to unleash a devastating final attack, clearing the remaining enemies in his vicinity. Myne emerged from the shadows, her tendrils striking down any stragglers.

“Mission accomplished,” Rick said as the team regrouped outside the base. The fortress was in ruins, its supply lines severed.

Aiden surveyed the destruction, his expression grim but satisfied. “One more blow against the Abyss. Let’s keep this momentum going.”

They disappeared into the forest, leaving the smoldering remains of the Abyssal base behind. The war was far from over, but with each victory, they were chipping away at the darkness, one battle at a time.

As the team retreated into the depths of the fog-shrouded forest, the echoes of the explosion still lingered in the distance. The Abyssal forces would undoubtedly mobilize reinforcements soon, and staying in the area wasn’t an option. Aiden led the group, his golden aura faint but steady, casting a faint glow through the mist.

Rick kept pace, his tactical visor scanning for any signs of pursuit. “We need to find a place to regroup and plan our next move. Any ideas?”

Myne glanced back at the distant glow of the destroyed base. Her voice was low and calm, though her shadow tendrils writhed in restless anticipation. “There’s an abandoned outpost a few miles from here. It’s shielded from Abyssal detection and should be safe for a few hours.”

“Perfect,” Rick said, adjusting the settings on his visor. “Lead the way, Myne.”

The team moved quickly but cautiously. The forest around them felt alive, its oppressive energy pressing against their senses. Aiden’s Spirit Sense picked up faint disturbances—shadows shifting unnaturally and whispers just out of earshot.

“Stay alert,” he warned. “The Abyss doesn’t let its prey escape easily.”

The outpost was little more than a crumbling stone structure buried beneath centuries of moss and vines. It was hidden in a natural hollow, shielded by towering trees that seemed to lean inward protectively. Myne extended her shadowmancy to check for traps or Abyssal traces, then nodded.

“It’s clear. Let’s rest here.”