Conquering Planets: Rise of the Cosmic Tyrant-Chapter 9: Work in Progress

Aldric barely avoided a spear thrust when a horn echoed through the valley.

A signal.

His stomach twisted.

More torches appeared on the ridgeline—Cedric’s reinforcements.

Hundreds of soldiers poured in from the side paths, overwhelming the rebels’ defensive positions.

"Fall back!" Aldric shouted.

The rebels hesitated—then retreated, pulling back toward the entrance of the mines.

But the enemy was faster.

The first wave of Cedric’s reinforcements hit them like a hammer.

Aldric blocked a wild swing, only to be slammed backward by a shield bash. He crashed into the dirt, his vision momentarily spinning.

A soldier loomed over him, sword raised—

Then an arrow struck him through the eye, and he collapsed.

Elya grabbed Aldric’s arm, hauling him up. "Move!"

Together, they ran.

The Last Stand at the Mines

The rebels poured into the mines, scrambling to hold the entrance. They had set traps, prepared choke points—

But Cedric’s men weren’t stupid.

Instead of rushing in blindly, the enemy formed shields, moving forward in a tight formation, using torches to smoke them out.

"They’re trying to suffocate us," Valerian growled.

Aldric gritted his teeth. They couldn’t afford to stay trapped inside.

He turned to Elya. "Do we still have that gunpowder?"

She nodded. "Enough to bring down the entrance."

Aldric’s mind raced. If they collapsed the entrance, they could stop Cedric’s army from flooding in—

But they would be trapped inside.

And if Cedric had more forces waiting outside, they would never make it out alive.

The choice was clear.

They had to fight their way out.

No More Running

Aldric’s grip tightened on his sword. No more retreating. No more hiding.

They had come this far.

And if they were going to die, they would take as many of Cedric’s bastards with them as they could.

"Ready yourselves," he ordered, stepping forward.

Valerian grinned. "About time."

Elya spun her daggers. "Let’s give them hell."

The rebels formed a tight line, weapons raised.

The enemy stepped closer.

---

The walls of the mine shook as the battle raged at the entrance. Dust rained from the ceiling, mixing with the thick smoke curling through the tunnels. The air smelled of blood, sweat, and fire.

Aldric stood at the front, sword in hand, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His rebels had formed a defensive line, blocking the entrance with wooden barricades, overturned carts, and anything else they could find.

Beyond the barricades, Cedric’s soldiers advanced in tight formation, their shields raised, torches burning bright. They weren’t charging—they were moving slowly, methodically, like a pack of wolves closing in on wounded prey.

They knew the rebels had nowhere to run.

Elya crouched beside Aldric, wiping blood from her cheek. "I count at least fifty just outside the entrance," she murmured. "More behind them. They’re waiting for us to break."

Valerian grunted, adjusting his grip on his greatsword. "Then we don’t break."

Aldric didn’t answer immediately. His mind raced. The odds were stacked against them. They couldn’t hold this mine forever.

They needed a way out.

Or they needed to make sure Cedric’s men never left this place alive.

The Assault Begins

A sudden war horn blasted through the cavern.

Then, chaos.

Cedric’s soldiers surged forward, slamming into the barricade like a battering ram. Spears jabbed through the gaps, shields smashed against wood, and the rebels fought to hold the line.

Aldric swung his sword, cutting down the first soldier who breached the defenses. Blood sprayed across the stone.

Valerian fought beside him, his greatsword splitting armor like parchment, his roars echoing through the tunnels.

Elya moved like a shadow, slipping between the gaps, her daggers finding weak points in armor.

For a moment—just a moment—they held.

Then—the barricade collapsed.

Cedric’s soldiers poured in.

Steel clashed, screams filled the air, and the narrow tunnels became a killing ground.

Aldric dodged a spear thrust, twisted, and drove his blade into a soldier’s ribs. Another attacker swung at him—he barely raised his sword in time to block.

Beside him, a rebel screamed as he was impaled on a pike.

Aldric gritted his teeth. They were losing ground.

They had minutes—maybe less—before they were completely overwhelmed.

The Escape Plan

Aldric blocked another strike, his arms burning from the effort. He couldn’t keep this up forever.

Then—an idea struck him.

He grabbed Elya’s arm, pulling her back from the fight. "The gunpowder. Where is it?"

Her eyes widened as she realized what he was planning. "You’re serious?"

Aldric nodded. "We collapse the mine. Trap them inside with us."

Valerian, overhearing, let out a bitter laugh. "That’s one hell of a plan."

"It’s the only plan."

Elya cursed under her breath but didn’t argue. "The barrels are in the lower tunnels. But if we set them off, we need a way out."

"There’s a second exit," Aldric said. "A narrow tunnel leading to the cliffs. It’s risky, but it’s better than dying here."

Elya exhaled. "Then we better move fast."

Aldric turned to Valerian. "Hold the entrance as long as you can. Buy us time."

Valerian smirked. "I’ll make it bloody."

And then—he charged back into the fight.

Setting the Charges

Elya led Aldric and a handful of rebels through the winding tunnels, deeper into the mine. The sounds of battle faded behind them, replaced by the eerie silence of the underground.

Finally, they reached a small chamber lined with wooden support beams. Several barrels of black powder sat against the walls.

Aldric nodded. "This is it."

Elya tossed him a flint. "You light it. I’ll get the others moving."

Aldric knelt, hands steady despite the chaos. He poured a thin trail of gunpowder along the stone floor, leading it toward the barrels.

One spark. That’s all it would take.

The Last Stand

Back at the entrance, Valerian fought like a man possessed.

The rebels had been pushed back—their numbers dwindling, bodies littering the ground. But they didn’t break.

Not yet.

Valerian parried a strike, then brought his sword down, splitting a soldier’s helmet in two. Blood sprayed across his face, but he barely noticed.

More enemies came.

He grinned.

"Come on, then," he growled. "Let’s end this."

Then—

BOOM.

The ground shook.

Dust and rock rained from above.

The mine was collapsing.

Run or Die

Aldric barely had time to react before the first crack split the ceiling.

The walls trembled. Wooden beams snapped like twigs.

"GO!" he roared.

The rebels sprinted toward the escape tunnel, stumbling over loose rocks as the mine caved in behind them.

Some weren’t fast enough.

A scream—then silence.

Aldric didn’t look back. He couldn’t.

The Cliffside Escape

The tunnel opened into the night air—a narrow ledge overlooking the valley.

The rebels burst through, gasping for breath.

Aldric turned just in time to see the mine entrance collapse completely, burying Cedric’s forces inside.

Silence.

Then—cheers.

The rebels had escaped.

They had won.

For now.

Aftermath

The survivors gathered at the cliff’s edge, watching the smoke rise from the ruined mine.

Elya wiped sweat from her brow. "That was close."

Valerian, bruised and bloody, limped forward. "Too close."

Aldric exhaled, the adrenaline finally fading. They had survived.

But Cedric was still out there.