Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 454

Chapter 454: War XXVII

As he drew closer, the storm intensified, bolts of golden lightning crackling around him. The air grew heavier, saturated with Immortal Essence. His wings struggled against the rising pressure, and the temperature dropped drastically, frosting the edges of his cloak.

Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice boomed across the sky, vibrating through his very soul.

“Who dares trespass upon the Sanctum of Origins?”

Aiden stopped mid-flight, hovering in place. His scythe materialized in his hand, its dark flames flickering as if ready for battle.

“Sanctum of Origins?” Aiden muttered, his mind racing. He had heard whispers of a place like this from ancient records—a realm said to contain fragments of primordial power, capable of reshaping fate itself.

Before he could respond, the clouds parted, revealing a colossal figure—a dragon wreathed in golden light, its eyes ancient and filled with untold wisdom. Its scales shimmered like starlight, and each breath it exhaled seemed to alter the very fabric of reality around it.

“State your purpose, or be consumed by eternity,” the dragon warned, its eyes narrowing.

Aiden raised his chin, unfazed. “I’m not here to trespass. I’m seeking someone… and power to protect them.” His aura flared, golden threads of energy swirling around him. “If this is a test, I’ll gladly take it.”

The dragon studied him for a moment, its gaze penetrating. Then, with a low rumble, it laughed—a sound that shook the sky.

“Brave words, child of light and shadow.” Its eyes gleamed. “Very well. Prove yourself, and perhaps you will gain what you seek… or be lost to time forever.”

The clouds thickened once more, and a glowing portal opened beneath Aiden, spiraling with ancient symbols and unfamiliar energies.

“Enter… if you dare.”

Aiden smirked, gripping his scythe tighter. “I’ve come too far to back down now.”

He dove into the portal, the storm swallowing him whole.

The Sanctum of Origins awaited.

Aiden felt a rush of energy as he was pulled into the portal, the world around him twisting and warping into a vortex of light and shadows. His senses sharpened as his Spirit Sense expanded, trying to grasp the rapidly changing surroundings. The Sanctum was unlike anything he had experienced before—a place outside time and space.

When the swirling energies finally settled, he found himself standing in a vast, ethereal expanse. The ground beneath him was made of crystalline light, glowing softly with each step. Ancient symbols floated in the air, constantly shifting and rearranging themselves.

The air hummed with power, and a voice echoed from all around him, deep and resonant.

“The Trials of Origin will test your essence, your will, and your fate. Fail, and you will be forgotten. Succeed, and the power of the Primordial Flame shall be yours.”

Primordial Flame? Aiden’s eyes narrowed. If this was connected to the Skyfires, then it could be the key to evolving his power or even securing Serina’s fate.

A column of golden fire erupted before him, forming the shape of a humanoid figure—a guardian clad in molten armor, its face hidden beneath a glowing helm. The heat from its body distorted the air around it.

“First Trial: Strength of the Soul. Prove your worth, or be consumed by the flame.”

Without hesitation, the guardian charged, its blazing fist leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Aiden’s scythe moved instinctively, blocking the attack, but the force behind it sent him skidding backward.

“Strong,” Aiden muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon. The heat pressed down on him, testing his endurance and resolve. “But not strong enough.”

Dark energy surged from his body, mixing with golden light as he called upon his Martial Spirits. His Golden Sword and Reaper Scythe appeared beside him, their power resonating in perfect harmony. With a single thought, the sword shot forward, clashing with the guardian in a flurry of strikes.

The guardian roared, summoning pillars of flame from the ground, but Aiden was already moving. He teleported behind it, his scythe slicing through the air in a deadly arc. The blade connected, leaving a deep, glowing scar on the guardian’s armor.

“You’re not the only one who can wield fire,” Aiden said, summoning the Nebula-like Phoenix flames from Merry. The flames spiraled around him, forming a radiant aura that clashed with the guardian’s golden fire.

The battlefield lit up with their duel—each strike a collision of light and shadow, flame and darkness. Aiden’s body burned from the intense heat, but he pressed on, his will unbreakable.

Finally, with one decisive strike, Aiden plunged his scythe into the guardian’s core. A burst of energy erupted, and the guardian froze, its body cracking and crumbling into golden ash.

The voice returned, calmer now, almost impressed.

“You have passed the Trial of Strength. Prepare for the Trial of Wisdom.”

The ground beneath him shifted, transforming into a vast, shimmering maze. Walls of light stretched endlessly in all directions, and Aiden could feel the maze pulsing with illusions and traps, designed to confuse and mislead.

He took a deep breath, activating his Spirit Sense. “A test of wisdom… This should be fun.”

Without hesitation, Aiden stepped into the maze, ready to face whatever challenge awaited him next. He would not leave this place without claiming the Primordial Flame.

Aiden moved cautiously through the shimmering maze, his Spirit Sense expanding in all directions to detect traps or illusions. The walls radiated a strange energy, one that seemed to bend space itself. Every turn felt like stepping into another reality, with visions flashing around him—his past, his failures, his hopes, and his fears, all blending into an overwhelming torrent.

“A trial of wisdom… but also of the mind,” Aiden muttered, narrowing his focus. He knew that giving in to these illusions would only entrap him. The maze wasn’t just physical; it was attacking his psyche.

A faint whisper echoed in the distance, familiar yet haunting.

“You’re not strong enough to win… You’ll lose everything again.”

Aiden froze as the voice shifted, becoming more distinct—Myne’s voice.

“Why didn’t you save me, Aiden? You promised…”

Pain flickered across his face, but Aiden clenched his fists. “It’s not real,” he growled. “You won’t break me with tricks.”

The maze responded, its walls warping violently as the illusions intensified. Suddenly, a figure stepped out from the light—a perfect replica of Aiden himself, clad in dark armor, his eyes glowing with an ominous red light.