Cosmic Ruler
Chapter 499 - 499: Fate XVIII

The past him was relentless.

He didn't just attack with brute force.

"I know how you fight."

Aiden's past self pressed forward.

Every move Aiden made—his past self was one step ahead.

"I know all your habits."

"I know your reactions."

"Because I was you before you became this."

—𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

Aiden barely managed to block the next strike, his arms shaking from the impact.

It wasn't just strength.

It was battle-honed instinct.

Aiden's past self fought without divine techniques, without reality-breaking powers.

And yet—he was winning.

The truth hit Aiden like a thunderclap.

He had relied too much on his growth.

On his divine abilities. On his martial spirits. On his authorities.

I've evolved past my old self… but in doing so, I let go of the raw skill that made me strong in the first place.

His past self wasn't stronger.

He was sharper.

"Have you really surpassed me?"

Aiden's past self swung his sword again—a perfect arc, leaving no room for retreat.

Aiden had two choices.

Dodge and prolong the fight.

Or take a risk and face himself head-on.

Aiden grinned.

"Yeah. I have."

He did something unexpected.

Instead of dodging—he stepped into the attack.

—𝘊𝘙𝘈𝘊𝘒—!

Aiden's bare hand caught the blade mid-swing.

Blood dripped from his palm.

But he didn't falter.

"You're good."

He pulled the sword closer.

"But you're still me."

His fist shot forward.

—𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

A direct hit to his past self's chest.

For the first time, his past self staggered.

Aiden didn't stop.

—𝘍𝘞𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘚𝘏—

He followed up instantly, adjusting his stance mid-air.

A kick to the ribs.

A punch to the jaw.

A sharp knee to the stomach.

The past Aiden reeled back, his stance faltering.

Aiden's eyes burned.

"I've learned everything you know."

"But you don't know everything I know."

Aiden's past self looked at him—for the first time, uncertainty flashed in his golden eyes.

Aiden exhaled.

"This is where I surpass you."

—𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘈𝘈𝘈𝘒—!

Aiden's final strike landed.

A devastating blow straight to the chest—his past self crashed to the ground.

The illusionary battlefield froze.

And then—

The past Aiden smiled.

"Yeah. You win."

His form began to fade, dissolving into golden light.

"Don't forget where you came from."

"And don't forget what made you strong in the first place."

—𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

The battlefield shattered.

Aiden opened his eyes.

He was back at the Second Gate.

The Time Warden, Elias, stood before him, his expression unreadable.

Then—he nodded.

"Trial of Time… completed."

The massive stone gate unlocked.

Aiden smirked.

"That's two down."

He turned toward the next staircase.

Aiden exhaled, shaking off the last echoes of his battle with his past self. His body still ached, and his mind was sharper than ever.

That fight was necessary.

The Trial of Time had reminded him of who he was. Of the raw skill and instincts he had before he gained divine powers.

And now—he would use that knowledge to move forward.

—𝘞𝘏𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

The Third Gate loomed ahead, its massive structure towering above the Divine Ladder. Unlike the previous trials, this one had no carvings, no celestial markings.

It was pure black stone, pulsing with an eerie, shifting light.

Aiden frowned.

Something's different about this one.

He stepped forward.

And the moment his foot touched the threshold—

—𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

A wave of invisible pressure slammed into him.

Aiden's entire body locked in place.

His breath hitched.

His mind blurred.

"What… the hell?"

He tried to move, but it was as if his body was disconnected from reality.

A voice echoed through the void.

"The Third Gate—The Trial of the Mind."

Aiden's vision twisted.

He was no longer on the Divine Ladder.

Trial of the Third Gate—The Prison of the Mind

Aiden blinked.

The world around him had changed.

He was trapped inside a vast, endless void.

Nothing but darkness. Silence.

He tried to step forward—but he couldn't.

"Tch."

His body wouldn't respond.

"Welcome, Challenger."

A figure appeared before him, stepping out of the void.

Tall. Cloaked in pure black robes, their face hidden behind an ornate mask.

Aiden's instincts screamed.

This wasn't just an illusion.

This was a mental attack of the highest level.

"You have proven your strength and your mastery of combat."

"But raw power is nothing if your mind is weak."

The masked figure raised a hand.

—𝘞𝘏𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

Suddenly—voices flooded into Aiden's head.

Hundreds. Thousands. Whispers. Screams. Echoes of the past.

His failures. His regrets.

Everything he had ever tried to suppress.

The voices pounded into his skull.

"You let them die."

"You weren't strong enough."

"You will never be enough."

"You only exist because of your cheats."

Aiden gritted his teeth.

His mind felt like it was being torn apart.

No.

He wasn't weak.

He had survived too much to break now.

Aiden forced his mind to focus.

He ground his teeth, glaring at the masked figure.

"You think this is enough to stop me?"

—𝘊𝘙𝘈𝘊𝘒—!

Aiden's willpower surged, his golden eyes flaring.

He took a step forward.

"I've already walked through worse."

The masked figure paused.

Aiden grinned.

"You wanna test my mind?"

"Then break first."

—𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

Aiden unleashed his own mental pressure, his sheer force of will crushing through the illusions.

The voices faded.

The prison of the mind cracked.

The masked figure staggered.

"Impossible—!"

Aiden stepped forward one last time.

"Get out of my head."

He threw a punch.

—𝘊𝘙𝘈𝘊𝘒—!

The masked figure shattered into nothingness.

The void collapsed.

Trial of the Mind—Complete.

Aiden opened his eyes.

He was back at the Divine Ladder.

The Third Gate had disappeared.

The path ahead was clear.

The Divine Guardian's voice echoed.

"Trial Three—Complete."

"Proceed to the Fourth Gate."

Aiden exhaled.

Three trials down.

Nine more to go.

He turned his gaze upward.

The next step awaited.

And he was ready.

Aiden took a deep breath, his golden eyes locked onto the next gate.

The Third Trial had tested his mind. It had tried to break him from within.

But now—he was sharper, stronger, and more determined than ever.

Keep moving forward. No stopping.

The Fourth Gate loomed before him, its massive structure radiating an eerie glow. Unlike the previous gates, which had been carved from celestial stone, this one seemed alive.

Dark veins of pulsing crimson light ran through its surface, and the air felt heavier, denser.

Aiden frowned.

Something about this felt different.

"The Fourth Trial… what's the catch this time?"

He stepped forward—

—𝘞𝘏𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘖𝘔—!

The gate shook violently.

A deep, ancient voice boomed through the air.

"You who seek divinity… have you the right to wield it?"

The ground trembled.

And then—

The Fourth Gate split open.

Aiden's instincts screamed.

From the darkness within—

A colossal, armored figure emerged.

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