Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 502

Chapter 502: Fate XXI
Aiden’s golden eyes narrowed.

“Sacrifice?”

The voice continued.

“Ascension is not free. Power is not granted without cost.”

“Will you give up what is necessary?”

Aiden didn’t hesitate.

“I’ve sacrificed before.”

“And I’ll do it again.”

He stepped forward.

And the moment he touched the door—

—𝘞𝘏𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

The world disappeared.

Trial of the Seventh Gate—The Price of Power

Aiden blinked.

He was no longer on the Divine Ladder.

He stood in a familiar place.

A battlefield.

Not just any battlefield.

One from his past.

Aiden’s breath hitched.

He knew this place.

“This is…”

—𝘊𝘙𝘈𝘊𝘒—!

Suddenly, the sky burned red.

A figure collapsed in front of him.

Aiden’s eyes widened.

It was someone he knew.

Someone he had failed to save.

Someone who had died because of him.

Aiden stared.

His hands trembled.

“No. This… this already happened.”

A new voice spoke.

“And it will happen again.”

Aiden turned.

And there, standing across from him—

Was another version of himself.

Not a reflection.

Not an illusion.

This one was scarred, older, colder.

His eyes were empty.

Aiden recognized what he was looking at.

This was who he would become—

If he let go of everything else in pursuit of power.

“This is your future.”

“The price of your ascension.”

Aiden clenched his fists.

A future where I lose everything… just to become stronger?

The older Aiden stepped forward.

“There is no ascension without sacrifice.”

“You cannot reach the top unless you abandon everything else.”

The air grew heavy.

Aiden felt it.

A choice.

A real choice.

Give up everything—everyone—and take ultimate power.

Or—reject it.

Aiden looked at the battlefield.

At the people who had fought alongside him.

The ones he had already lost.

And the ones who were still waiting for him.

He gritted his teeth.

Then—he smiled.

“No.”

The older Aiden’s eyes flickered.

“What?”

Aiden exhaled.

“If getting stronger means losing everything, then I’ll find another way.”

“Because strength without purpose is just another kind of weakness.”

The older Aiden stared at him.

Then—he laughed.

“Good.”

And just like that—he faded away.

The battlefield collapsed.

Trial of Sacrifice—Completed.

Aiden opened his eyes.

The Seventh Gate was gone.

The next step of the Divine Ladder awaited.

He smirked.

“Bring on the next one.”

Aiden exhaled, his golden eyes locked onto the next gate.

The Seventh Trial had tried to force him into an impossible choice. It had tested whether he was willing to sacrifice everything for power.

But I don’t need to abandon everything just to climb higher.

He had passed the test without hesitation.

And now, the Eighth Gate stood before him.

It was massive, carved from obsidian and wrapped in endless chains. Ancient runes glowed faintly along its surface, pulsating with a power Aiden didn’t recognize.

This one was different.

The last few trials tested my strength, mind, and heart…

So what is this one?

A deep, rumbling voice echoed from beyond the gate.

“Beyond this gate lies the Trial of Command.”

“Power is meaningless without those who follow.”

“A ruler cannot ascend alone.”

Aiden frowned.

“A ruler?”

The voice continued.

“Do you think you are worthy to stand above others?”

“Do you believe you can lead gods, warriors, and kings?”

“Then prove it.”

The chains unraveled.

And the Eighth Gate swung open.

Aiden stepped forward.

The moment he crossed the threshold—

—𝘞𝘏𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

The world shifted.

Trial of the Eighth Gate—The Burden of a King

Aiden opened his eyes.

He was no longer on the Divine Ladder.

He stood in a golden palace.

Towering pillars stretched toward the sky, and a massive throne rested at the center of the chamber.

But Aiden wasn’t alone.

Thousands of figures stood before him.

Some were mortal warriors.

Some were legendary heroes.

Some were gods.

And they were kneeling.

Aiden’s eyes narrowed.

“What is this?”

A tall figure stepped forward.

A man clad in golden armor, his face obscured by a radiant mask.

“This is your future, should you take it.”

Aiden’s fingers twitched.

This trial…

It wasn’t about fighting.

It was about rule.

The masked warrior lifted his spear, his voice booming through the palace.

“Command us.”

“Prove that you are fit to rule.”

Aiden stayed silent.

Do I want this?

To be a king? A ruler? A god?

He had spent his entire life fighting for his own path. He had defied fate, broken limits, shattered expectations.

But leading others?

Telling them what to do?

He clenched his fists.

Then—he smirked.

“I don’t need to rule over others.”

“I don’t need a throne.”

The masked warrior paused.

Aiden lifted his gaze.

“But if they follow me… then I’ll lead them to victory.”

—𝘊𝘙𝘈𝘊𝘒—!

The golden palace shattered.

The warriors vanished.

The masked figure stood still—before kneeling.

“You have chosen your path.”

The Eighth Gate dissolved.

Trial of Command—Completed.

Aiden opened his eyes.

The Divine Ladder stretched ahead.

And the Ninth Gate awaited.

“Almost there.”

Aiden exhaled sharply, his body steady but his mind racing as he stepped forward. The Eighth Trial had tested his ability to lead, to command others, to bear the weight of those who followed him.

But I don’t need a throne.

I lead because people believe in me—not because I demand it.

Now, the Ninth Gate loomed ahead.

Unlike the previous ones, which had been grand structures of divine craftsmanship, this one was barren.

A single black stone archway, flickering with a dim silver glow.

Aiden frowned.

The air around it felt wrong.

This one is different.

The moment he approached—

A deep voice echoed through the void.

“The Ninth Trial is the Trial of Isolation.”

“A true god stands alone.”

“Will you still fight when you have nothing left?”

Aiden’s chest tightened.

The moment the last word was spoken—

—𝘞𝘏𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

The world collapsed.

Trial of the Ninth Gate—Alone in the Void

Aiden opened his eyes.

Everything was gone.

No Divine Ladder.

No sky.

No ground.

No allies.

Nothing.

Just endless darkness.

Aiden took a step forward—but his foot met nothing.

He was floating in an abyss.

He tried to call upon his power—but nothing responded.

His golden aura? Gone.

His martial spirits? Silent.

His authorities? Erased.