Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 439

Chapter 439: War XII

Inside, the group set up a small perimeter, lighting faintly glowing runes for additional protection. Dren leaned against a wall, wiping sweat from his brow. “That was one hell of a fight. Felt good to smash some Abyssals, though.”

Rick chuckled as he checked their supplies. “You did your job well, Dren. But let’s not get too comfortable. They’ll adapt to our tactics sooner or later.”

Aiden sat cross-legged on the floor, his sword resting across his knees as he meditated. His golden aura pulsed faintly, repairing the minor injuries he’d sustained. Myne observed him from the shadows, her expression unreadable.

“How much longer do you think we can keep this up?” she finally asked, her voice quiet but laced with an edge of concern.

Aiden opened his eyes, meeting her gaze. “As long as it takes. The Abyss thrives on fear and despair, but we’ve already proven we can strike back. Every base we destroy, every victory we win—it all matters.”

Rick nodded in agreement. “He’s right. The Abyss is vast, but it’s not invincible. We’re making progress, even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.”

The group fell into a momentary silence, each of them reflecting on their individual roles in the fight against the Abyss. The war had taken its toll on all of them—physically, mentally, and emotionally—but none of them were willing to back down.

Later that night, Aiden stood outside the outpost, his gaze fixed on the night sky. The stars were faint, barely visible through the fog, but they reminded him of the light he was fighting to protect. Myne joined him, her footsteps silent as she emerged from the shadows.

“You’re carrying a lot on your shoulders,” she said, her tone softer than usual.

Aiden didn’t look at her but nodded. “It comes with the territory. If we don’t push forward, who will?”

Myne studied him for a moment before speaking again. “Just don’t forget you’re not alone in this. We’re all here, fighting with you.”

Her words carried a rare warmth, and Aiden offered a faint smile in response. “Thanks, Myne. I’ll remember that.”

As the first light of dawn began to pierce through the fog, the team prepared to move again. Their next target awaited—a key Abyssal command center deep within hostile territory. It was a daunting challenge, but they were ready.

The war was far from over, but the flame of hope burned bright within them. Together, they would push back the darkness, one step at a time.

The morning light cut through the mist, casting long shadows as Aiden and his team set out from the outpost. The forest around them remained unnervingly silent, the oppressive weight of the Abyss lingering like a predator stalking its prey. Every step forward was calculated, every sound analyzed for potential threats.

Rick led the way this time, his visor projecting a faint glow as it scanned for movement. “The command center is about twenty clicks southeast. We’re heading into heavily fortified territory. Expect resistance.”

Myne’s shadow tendrils rippled along the ground as she whispered, “If we take out their command hub, we’ll cripple their ability to coordinate forces in this region. But we’ll need to strike hard and fast. They’ll recover quickly if we don’t.”

Aiden nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “We’ll stick to the plan. Rick, you and Dren create diversions to thin out their forces. Myne and I will handle the infiltration and deal with the commander.”

The journey to the command center was tense. As they drew closer, the air grew heavier, saturated with Abyssal energy. Dark clouds gathered overhead, blotting out the sun. When the structure finally came into view, the team paused, taking cover behind a ridge.

The command center was an imposing fortress carved into the side of a jagged cliff. Black spires jutted upward like the fangs of some ancient beast, and Abyssal banners fluttered in the unnatural wind. Dozens of patrols roamed the perimeter, their glowing red eyes scanning for intruders.

Rick crouched beside Aiden, pulling up a holographic map on his wrist-mounted device. “The main entrance is heavily guarded. There are secondary access points along the cliffside, but they’re monitored by sentries. If we want to avoid a full-scale battle, we’ll need to disable their detection runes.”

Aiden studied the map, his Spirit Sense extending to confirm the layout. “Dren, can you handle the sentries?”

Dren smirked, cracking his knuckles. “Piece of cake. Just point me in the right direction.”

Rick gave a quick nod. “Good. Myne, you’ll cover Dren from the shadows. Once the sentries are down, I’ll plant charges at key structural points to maximize the chaos.”

“And then?” Myne asked, her voice steady.

Aiden’s golden aura flickered faintly as he gripped his sword. “Then we strike the heart of the fortress. I’ll take the commander head-on. The rest of you focus on keeping the reinforcements off me.”

The operation began with surgical precision. Dren moved like a blur, taking out sentries with swift, concussive strikes that left no room for alarm. Myne’s shadows neutralized any that got too close, dragging them silently into the void. Rick worked methodically, planting explosive charges along key support beams.

When the first explosion tore through the fortress, chaos erupted. Abyssal forces poured from every direction, their guttural roars filling the air. Rick and Dren took up defensive positions, holding the line with a combination of brute force and tactical strikes.

Aiden and Myne slipped through the chaos, weaving between collapsing structures and disoriented enemies. Inside the fortress, the Abyssal energy was suffocating, but Aiden pressed forward, his golden light cutting through the darkness.

The commander awaited them in the central chamber—a hulking figure wreathed in Abyssal flames, his eyes glowing like twin suns of malice. His voice was a low growl that resonated through the room. “You dare bring your light into my domain? Foolish mortals.”

Aiden stepped forward, his sword igniting with radiant energy. “Your domain ends here.”

The commander lunged, his massive weapon cleaving through the air with terrifying speed. Aiden met the strike head-on, the impact sending shockwaves through the chamber. Myne moved to flank the commander, her shadow tendrils striking out to disrupt his movements.

The battle was fierce. Every blow from the commander was a destructive force, shaking the very foundation of the fortress. But Aiden’s resolve was unshaken. He fought with precision and purpose, his strikes carving through the Abyssal energy.