Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 460

Chapter 460: War XXXIII

Suddenly, the ruins began to quake violently. Nexus’s eyes widened. “Uh… Aiden, we need to leave. Now. Taking the fragment must’ve triggered a failsafe—this entire place is about to collapse!”

The ground beneath them cracked and split apart, revealing a swirling vortex of dark energy. Aiden spread his wings, grabbing Nexus by the arm as they launched into the sky. Debris rained down around them as the ancient city began to implode, the vortex consuming everything in its path.

“Hang on!” Aiden shouted, weaving through falling columns and collapsing structures.

The vortex’s pull grew stronger, nearly dragging them in, but Aiden pushed himself harder, summoning the last of his strength. With a final burst of speed, they shot through the collapsing entrance and into the open sky just as the ruins were swallowed by darkness.

They landed on a nearby cliff, breathing heavily as they watched the ancient city vanish beneath the swirling vortex.

“That was… close,” Nexus said, wiping sweat from his brow.

Aiden held up the fragment, its light shimmering in his hand. “But worth it.”

Nexus nodded. “That’s one more piece. We’re getting closer.”

Aiden’s eyes glowed faintly as he stared at the fragment. “One step closer to the endgame… and to whatever’s waiting for us next.”

Aiden placed the fragment inside his spatial ring, its power still thrumming faintly against his senses. He scanned the horizon, his Spirit Sense expanding like a ripple in the air, ensuring no new threats were approaching. The dark vortex had settled into a void-like crater, silent and eerie.

“The fragment is powerful, but it’s also a beacon,” Nexus warned, his voice low. “Anyone who’s sensitive to ancient energies will feel it. We won’t be alone for long.”

Aiden nodded. “We’ve already been dancing on a knife’s edge. What’s a little more danger?”

Suddenly, a sharp ripple of killing intent brushed against his senses. Aiden tensed. His gaze snapped toward the eastern sky, where a black streak was approaching fast, cutting through the air like a dagger.

“Looks like we’ve got company,” Nexus said grimly. “And from the speed of that approach… it’s not a friendly visit.”

Aiden’s fingers tightened around his scythe. “Whoever they are, they won’t take this fragment without a fight.”

The black streak came to a sudden stop, revealing a tall figure clad in dark robes. His eyes burned with crimson light, and a twisted smirk spread across his face. His aura was oppressive, like a storm waiting to be unleashed.

Ivan.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Aiden?” Ivan’s voice dripped with malice. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve been waiting to lose again?”

Ivan’s smirk faltered for a second before his expression turned vicious. “Cocky as ever. You’ve gotten stronger, I can feel it… but so have I.”

Dark energy swirled around Ivan’s body, forming an ominous throne behind him—his Martial Spirit, the Throne of Sovereigns, now infused with demonic energy. His aura expanded, warping the space around him as tendrils of black lightning crackled in the air.

“You’re not walking away this time,” Ivan hissed, his eyes glowing brighter. “That fragment is mine, and so is your life!”

Aiden stepped forward, his scythe glowing with dark and golden energy. His dragon wings unfurled, and the Death Dragon’s roar echoed around them. “I’m done letting you escape, Ivan. This ends here.”

Ivan raised his hand, summoning a massive torrent of demonic energy. The ground shook beneath them as the air grew heavy with power. “Then let’s finish what we started!”

The two clashed in a violent explosion of light and darkness, their attacks tearing through the landscape. Aiden’s scythe met Ivan’s demonic blade, sparks flying as the impact sent shockwaves in every direction.

Aiden unleashed Space Rend, the space around Ivan collapsing inward like a crushing vice, but Ivan countered with his Void Soverign Shield, the attack dispersing harmlessly.

“You’ll have to do better than that!” Ivan taunted, hurling a torrent of black flames toward Aiden.

Aiden dodged, his Spirit Sense keeping him one step ahead. He spun his scythe, slashing through the flames and creating an opening. “You talk too much, Ivan!”

In an instant, Aiden closed the gap, his scythe poised to strike. Ivan barely managed to block, but the force of Aiden’s attack sent him crashing into the crater below.

Aiden hovered above, his aura flaring like a star about to go supernova. “It’s over, Ivan.”

But Ivan simply laughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. “Over? No, Aiden… it’s just getting started.”

The sky darkened as Ivan activated his trump card—demonic symbols glowing across his body, the ground cracking as an ominous power rose from beneath.

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. “That energy…”

Nexus’s voice trembled. “Aiden… he’s trying to ascend. If he succeeds, he’ll become a true Demon Lord!”

Aiden gritted his teeth. “Then I’ll stop him before that happens.”

With a flash of golden light and dark flames, Aiden dove straight into the heart of the storm. “I won’t let you take another step forward, Ivan!”

Ivan’s laughter echoed as the demonic symbols on his body flared with intensity, bathing the surroundings in a sinister red glow. His throne-like Martial Spirit pulsed with raw power, expanding into a towering structure behind him.

“A Demon Lord?” Ivan’s voice boomed, his aura distorting reality itself. “No, Aiden… I’ll become something far beyond that. Once I absorb the fragment and complete my transformation, no one in this realm or the next will stop me!”

Aiden’s scythe hummed with energy as he surged forward, his body cloaked in dark flames and golden light. “You’re always dreaming too big, Ivan. This world doesn’t need another self-proclaimed god!”

He slashed his scythe in a wide arc, space itself fracturing as a torrent of Space Rend and Nebula Flames tore through the battlefield. Ivan raised his arm, summoning a massive barrier of demonic energy to shield himself. The impact shook the ground, sending shockwaves across the crater.

Ivan staggered back, his shield cracking but holding. His eyes burned with madness. “You think your tricks can stop me?!” He raised his hand, and dark lightning gathered above him, forming a massive spear of condensed demonic energy. “Let’s see you survive this!”