Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 455

Chapter 455: War XXVIII

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.

“Wisdom isn’t just knowledge; it’s understanding your weakness,” the doppelgänger said, his voice cold. “Do you understand yours, Aiden?”

Aiden raised his scythe, staring down his dark reflection. “I’ve faced my weakness countless times. You think showing me a twisted version of myself will scare me?”

The doppelgänger smirked. “No. I’m here to remind you that the greatest threat isn’t out there—it’s within.”

The two clashed in an explosion of power, their movements mirroring each other perfectly. Each strike was a battle of wills, the maze distorting around them, feeding on their conflict.

The dark reflection laughed as their weapons locked. “You carry so much doubt, so much guilt. You hide it well, but it’s always there, isn’t it? Eating away at you.”

Aiden’s eyes burned with determination. “I’m not perfect, and I’ve made mistakes. But I won’t let my past define me.”

Summoning his full strength, he unleashed a surge of energy from his body—a combination of light and shadow that washed over the maze. The doppelgänger staggered, its form flickering before collapsing into fragments of light.

The maze shimmered, the walls dissolving into golden mist. The voice returned, calm and approving.

“You have passed the Trial of Wisdom. The final trial awaits: The Trial of Balance.”

The ground beneath him vanished, and Aiden found himself standing on a narrow platform suspended in an endless void. Two massive orbs of energy—one blazing with radiant light, the other swirling with dark shadows—floated on either side.

“To wield the Primordial Flame, you must achieve perfect harmony between light and dark. Control both energies… or be consumed by them.”

Aiden closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He had walked the path of light and shadow his entire life, but never had he tried to control both at once. The energies called out to him, powerful yet dangerous, like wild beasts waiting to devour him the moment he faltered.

“Balance…” he whispered, extending his hands toward the two orbs. They surged toward him, their energies clashing violently as they entered his body.

Aiden gritted his teeth as the opposing forces raged within him, threatening to tear him apart. The light burned with purity and warmth, while the darkness whispered promises of power and destruction.

His body trembled, sweat pouring down his face. It wasn’t just about controlling them—he had to become both and neither at the same time.

“I am not defined by light or darkness… I am both.”

The energies inside him began to stabilize, intertwining like twin serpents coiling around his soul. His golden aura darkened at the edges, while his shadows gained a radiant glow.

A brilliant flame erupted from his body—the Primordial Flame, a perfect fusion of light and dark, blazing with power unlike anything he had felt before. The void around him trembled, acknowledging his mastery.

The voice spoke one final time, filled with reverence.

“You have passed the Trial of Balance. The Primordial Flame is yours… Use it wisely, for it is both a gift and a burden.”

The void dissolved, and Aiden found himself back in the Sanctum’s central chamber. The Primordial Flame floated before him, a small but infinitely powerful spark of energy. He reached out, and the flame fused into his body, sending waves of power through every fiber of his being.

Aiden exhaled slowly, feeling the newfound strength coursing through him. “This… is only the beginning.”

With the Primordial Flame secured, he turned toward the portal that had brought him here. It was time to leave the Sanctum… and prepare for the battles yet to come.

As Aiden stepped through the portal, the air around him shimmered with heat from the lingering Primordial Flame. He emerged back at the crescent-shaped lake, the serene landscape now feeling strangely small compared to the vast power within him. His Spirit Sense extended further than ever before, picking up every ripple in the water and even the faintest movement of creatures hidden deep in the forest.

The flame within him pulsed gently, like a living heart. It wasn’t just raw power—it was sentient, whispering truths of creation and destruction.

“I’ll have to be careful with this,” Aiden muttered, clenching his fist as the flame settled down. “Power like this can easily draw unwanted attention.”

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a surge of energy erupted in the distance, far beyond the lake. His Spirit Sense caught it instantly—a clash of immense power between multiple cultivators. One of them felt familiar.

“Ivan…”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. The aura was unmistakable—it carried the same oppressive power Ivan always used. But it was different now—more chaotic, more… corrupted.

“He must’ve found another cheat,” Aiden growled, his mind racing. “If he gets his hands on another destiny, it’ll make things worse.”

He took a step forward, ready to head in that direction, but a gentle voice interrupted him.

“Going after him immediately would be reckless,” Myne said, stepping out from the shadows. She crossed her arms, her expression calm but serious. “He’s not the same Ivan you faced before.”

Aiden paused, taking in her words. “What do you mean?”

Myne’s gaze hardened. “He’s become a true Demonic Cultivator now. That chaotic energy you felt? It’s from the Abyssal Core he absorbed. If you confront him without a solid plan, he’ll use that power to tear you apart.”

Aiden frowned. “Then what’s the alternative? Let him keep growing stronger?”

Myne shook her head. “No. But you need allies, information, and preparation. You’ve just obtained the Primordial Flame. Learn to wield it properly first.”

Her words struck a chord. Aiden hated waiting, but she was right—rushing in blindly would only lead to disaster. He needed to consolidate his new power and gather more resources.

“Fine,” Aiden said with a sigh. “But Ivan won’t get a moment’s peace. I’ll keep tracking him from a distance until I’m ready.”

Myne smiled faintly. “Good. We’ll prepare together.”

Suddenly, a wave of cold energy swept across the area, causing both of them to tense up.

Aiden’s Spirit Sense locked onto a cloaked figure standing on the opposite shore of the lake. The figure radiated immense power, its aura sharp and cold as death itself. Two red eyes glowed from beneath the hood.

“The Lifeless Emperor…” Aiden whispered, recognizing the deadly presence. “Eeh’liel.”