Merslin 3: The Shatterborn Oath

Chapter 12: 12. Hyperion’s Conflict – The Retreat of Nemesis and the Seeds of Rebellion



No one—neither on Earth nor in Luminaria—understood why the vessels of Nemesis had suddenly retreated. But the reason lay deep within Hyperion's internal turmoil, and in the growing dissatisfaction festering inside Nemesis itself.

As Hyperion continued to use Nemesis to launch assaults on Merslin and Earth, he found himself increasingly trapped in a storm of conflicting emotions. Having witnessed the death of his brother, Chronos, Hyperion burned with the desire for personal vengeance. Yet Nemesis seemed to be advancing faster than his own design allowed, unsettling him deeply.

"It should be me who exacts vengeance," Hyperion murmured to himself. "If Nemesis moves ahead of me, I may never repay Chronos's death with my own hands."

He wished for Nemesis to succeed—but not to overreach. Deep down, he feared they might grow too strong, threatening the authority of the Titans themselves. These contradictory feelings clouded his judgment.

As Nemesis unleashed indiscriminate attacks, Hyperion feared he would no longer be the one to face Merslin directly. In the end, he made a decision—to halt their advance and take a step back.

"Enough. This ends here. Now is the time for me to act," Hyperion commanded.

At his word, the warships of Nemesis began an immediate retreat. They could not disobey him. The assault ceased.

But among the ranks of Nemesis, discontent ignited. Some of the younger leaders believed that if they had just pressed a little further, they could have conquered Earth entirely.

"We were on the verge of victory. Why did Hyperion call us off?" one soldier muttered bitterly.

That frustration soon reached the ears of Kylock, a rising young commander. To him, Hyperion's hesitation had squandered their chance at total victory. Kylock began to believe that he, not Hyperion, should lead the war from here.

"It was his order that cost us Earth," Kylock declared. "But I still believe we can win this. If we'd pushed just a few more days, the planet would be ours."

Kylock began gathering forces loyal to him—soldiers who believed that Hyperion's commands were leading them not to victory, but to ruin. With each passing day, his confidence to challenge Hyperion's authority grew.

At the same time, Hyperion was growing wary of Aetherion. Though he had unleashed Nemesis to target Merslin, he feared that in doing so, Aetherion might seize too much power. If they succeeded in eliminating Merslin, they might turn their sights next on the Titans.

"If Aetherion triumphs in this war, the Titans' authority could be diminished. They might try to take the reins of the cosmos," Hyperion thought. To protect both his revenge and Titan supremacy, he ordered the pause in Nemesis's attack.

With that retreat, Hyperion focused on regrouping his Titan forces, preparing for the inevitable clash with Merslin—while also fortifying his position so that Aetherion could not threaten him.

"This retreat is temporary. Once I'm ready, I'll wipe them all out," Hyperion vowed.

Watching Nemesis pull back, Merslin sensed that something was wrong within their ranks. He seized the opportunity to regroup and ready himself for the battle to come.

"They're withdrawing, but they'll be back," Merslin told his companions. "Next time, we must be fully prepared."

Meanwhile, Hyperion waited for the pieces of his plan to fall into place. Balancing his rivalry with Aetherion and his thirst for vengeance, he readied himself for a final confrontation with Merslin. His internal conflict would only make the war more volatile—and sooner or later, destiny would pit Hyperion and Merslin face to face.

"Merslin," Hyperion whispered, "you will pay for striking down my brother. This time, I will come for you myself."

**

Episode: Kylock's Rebellion – The Aetherion's Decision

Although the Nemesis army had temporarily retreated under Hyperion's orders, unrest simmered within its ranks. One of the younger commanders, Kylock, had grown increasingly dissatisfied with taking orders from above. He decided he could wait no longer.

Defying Hyperion and the senior commanders, Kylock issued a direct order to resume the invasion. He believed firmly that victory was within reach—if only he took the reins himself.

Kylock: "We cannot wait any longer. Hyperion's orders will lead us to defeat. We resume the assault—now."

His command spread swiftly among his troops. Frustrated over the lost opportunity to end the war, they welcomed Kylock's boldness.

The Aetherions, known for their collective consciousness, were capable of unifying their thoughts and emotions to act as one. This instinctive bond granted them unparalleled coordination. But on Earth, isolated from their home base, their mental link intensified.

Aetherion Soldiers: "The war must continue. We cannot waste the chance to conquer Earth."

As their connection to the distant Aetherion stronghold weakened, the troops stationed on Earth found themselves aligning with the growing urge to strike again. Their collective mind began to override Hyperion's authority, echoing Kylock's resolve.

Emboldened by the Aetherions' support, Kylock resumed the invasion on his own authority. His forces launched a new wave of indiscriminate attacks across Earth's cities.

Kylock: "From now on, we lead this war. Hyperion's commands no longer matter. Victory will be ours."

Hyperion, hearing of the unauthorized assault, was enraged—but too far removed from Earth to act immediately. More than anger, he felt threatened. The Aetherions were no longer following his script. They were acting independently.

Hyperion: "Kylock… You dare defy me? You will pay for this."

Following Kylock's orders, the Aetherion army once again descended upon Earth. Cities plunged into chaos, and nations scrambled to respond with every available defense.

Earth's Military Commander: "They've returned! Mobilize all forces—fortify every defensive line!"

But Earth's defenses were already strained. As the Aetherion onslaught grew fiercer, the damage escalated rapidly. Kylock, for his part, felt vindicated.

Kylock: "We will end this war—and raise the name of Aetherion to new heights."

His unilateral decision sent shockwaves through the Nemesis hierarchy. Hyperion's trust in the Aetherion soldiers—and especially in Kylock—began to unravel. This fracture within their own alliance hinted at deeper internal conflict that could soon erupt into something far worse.

Hyperion: "Whatever you do, Kylock, you cannot defy me forever. This war will be mine. And it will be the vessel of my vengeance."

***

Episode: The Connection of Two Worlds – Prometheus Intervenes

As the alien species known as Etherion—or Nemesis—re-entered the solar system, Earth was plunged into unprecedented chaos. The Nemesis fleet seized Earth's orbit and launched a relentless assault. Across the globe, cities were bombarded by swarms of aerial invaders, and humanity scrambled to defend itself on the ground.

Cities crumbled with little resistance, and despair spread among the people. But the war was far from over. Earth's leaders and military strategists struggled to mount a counteroffensive, but their tactics and firepower fell woefully short against the overwhelming might of the Etherion.

Kim Young-min: "We can't defend Earth like this. We need something stronger… something far beyond."

Amid the despair, Kim Young-min continued to command the battlefield. But deep down, he held onto a conviction—that this was not how it would end. In his mind, a faint memory surfaced: Merslin of Luminaria. The battles they fought together, the strength they shared. At this moment, he longed for that power.

Suddenly, the battlefield was engulfed in a strange, unfamiliar energy. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to stop. Then the sky split open, and a blinding light poured down over the war-torn land. It was a force unlike anything humanity had ever witnessed—transcendent and otherworldly.

From within the light, a figure emerged: none other than Titan Prometheus. He had come to open a gateway between Earth and Luminaria.

Prometheus: "I am Prometheus, a Titan. The cosmic order is unraveling. To win this war, I will open a new path for you."

Harnessing his immense Titan power, Prometheus created a dimensional passage that physically connected Earth and Luminaria. Through this gateway, the armies of both worlds could support one another. A new potential emerged—a fusion of Earth's technology and Luminaria's magic that might stand against the Etherion.

Prometheus understood that his decision could alter the fate of both worlds. Yet he also knew he would not be the one to decide the outcome. This inner conflict weighed heavily upon him. Still, curiosity and faith in Merslin's pursuit of a new order drove him to act.

Prometheus: "This war is not mine to fight. I offer only the chance—you must choose what to do with it."

Kim Young-min: "What… what just happened? That light…"

As the portal opened, Kim Young-min felt a surge of powerful energy. He knew instantly—he was now connected to Luminaria. He began transmitting a message through the gate.

Kim Young-min: "Merslin! It's me, Kim Young-min. Earth and Luminaria are now connected. We can fight together!"

Meanwhile, Merslin, preparing for battle in Luminaria, sensed the surge of energy as well. He quickly understood what had occurred.

Merslin: "Kim Young-min… we can now stand as one. We've been given the power to end this war."

Yet Prometheus offered a stern warning. While the gateway connected Earth and Luminaria, it also opened the door for the Etherion to attack both worlds simultaneously.

Prometheus: "This passage is a double-edged sword. Use this opportunity wisely. If not, Etherion will exploit it to strike both worlds."

The warning etched itself into Kim Young-min and Merslin's minds. They knew the stakes had risen, and that their new alliance carried both promise and peril.

Now, Earth and Luminaria would have to fight on a new front—together. Troops from both sides began reinforcing one another through the gateway, and the war entered a new and brutal phase. The Nemesis forces wasted no time adapting to the shift.

Kailok: "Prometheus has granted us a gift as well. Launch a dual offensive—attack Earth and Luminaria through the gate!"

Under Kailok's orders, the Etherion forces resumed their assault, using the very portal meant to save the worlds to pressure both at once. Defying the commands of Hyperion, Kailok set his own plans into motion.

Kailok: "We lead this war now. Hyperion's orders no longer matter. Victory will be ours."

With Prometheus's intervention, the destinies of both worlds once again diverged. Earth and Luminaria. Nemesis and the Titans. All sides now stood poised for the ultimate confrontation. The final battle was approaching.


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