The night in Luminaria was deep and still, but Alex's mind was far from calm. Ever since Merslin and Elena had established Elysium, the royal court of Luminaria had descended into turmoil. The rise of a new kingdom was seen as a direct challenge to the old order, and at the center of that upheaval stood Alex—surrounded by whispers of suspicion and envy.
He sat in his study, a book open before him, though he had long stopped reading. The day's events echoed in his mind: the cold gazes in the council chamber, the murmurs that never quite stayed behind his back.
"Alex no longer belongs here. He's already pledged himself to Elysium. Keeping him here is a risk."
The words had been spoken just out of earshot—but never out of reach.
He closed the book and walked toward the window, staring out into the darkness beyond. He felt, more than knew, that he no longer had a place here. And yet, he lacked a clear reason to leave.
Then, a sudden burst of light overtook his vision.
"Alex..." A voice called from within—soft, yet commanding. His heart pounded. The silence of the room remained unbroken, but the voice echoed in his very soul.
"Who… who's there?" he whispered, breathless.
But no answer came—not yet. Instead, a name surfaced in his mind, unbidden.
"Hwanung…"
He spoke it aloud, almost unknowingly. And in that moment, a figure of light appeared before him.
"Yes. It is I."
The voice of Hwanung resonated with calm authority.
"You are my avatar. My will in this world. You have lived as a mere human, but it is time you remember who you truly are."
Inside him, Alex felt two selves clashing—one clinging to his identity as a man of Luminaria, the other awakening to something older, deeper, unshakable. Power stirred in his blood.
"I… I thought I was just a man…" he murmured in disbelief.
"You are part of me. My agent. You must prepare for what is to come."
Hwanung's voice grew more solemn.
"Hyperion will not stop. His plan is already in motion."
And then Alex saw it—Hyperion's looming figure, the shadow of his ambition stretching across the stars. He saw the crushing order the Titan sought to impose, and the control, the destruction, that would follow.
At last, clarity settled over him.
"I must prepare for the age of humankind," Alex said, this time with conviction. He could no longer remain within the confines of Luminaria. He had to move—warn others—embrace what he now knew to be true.
The next morning, Alex stood before the royal court. The chamber buzzed with silent tension. He rose from his seat, all eyes upon him.
"I can no longer remain here," he began, his voice calm yet resolute. "I must walk my own path. I stand with Merslin and Elena—not for rebellion, but for a vision. I believe in the end of the age of gods—and the dawn of the age of humankind."
A stir rippled through the court, but he pressed on.
"My role here is complete. I leave now to follow a new calling."
He turned to face the figures seated on the throne.
"Hyperion's plan will not stop. But I will be ready. For the future."
And with that, Alex walked out of the council chamber.
His decision sent tremors through the court, but fear no longer ruled him. He had embraced his fate—as Hwanung's avatar, as a herald of what was to come.
As he crossed the gates of New Luminaria, he whispered to the night:
"The age of humankind is coming. And I will welcome it."
His gaze lifted to the distant horizon—toward Elysium.
***
Episode: The Illusion of Magic
Morning sunlight poured gently into the court of Elysium, yet the faces of Merslin and Elena were cast in deep shadow. News from Luminaria had unsettled them—Alex had left the royal court without a word. As king and queen of Elysium, they found it difficult to understand the sudden departure of their mentor and advisor.
"Merslin, why would he make such a decision?" Elena asked, her voice a blend of worry and confusion.
Merslin let out a long breath. "I don't know, Elena. He must know something we don't. But why wouldn't he tell us anything?"
Elena lowered her gaze, murmuring, "He wouldn't have left without a reason. It must have been something important."
Taking her hand gently, Merslin spoke firmly. "Then we need to find out for ourselves—why he left, and where he is now."
The two set off to search for Alex. But it soon became clear that Alex had gone to great lengths to erase his trail. Merslin and Elena followed what traces remained, only for them to vanish completely.
"He disappeared here…" Merslin said cautiously. "It seems he intentionally hid his presence."
Elena scanned their surroundings with tense eyes. "Then maybe… maybe he wanted us to find this place."
Just then, the air began to chill. A faint mist rose from the spot where Alex's trail ended, slowly thickening. From within it, a figure began to form—startling both of them. It was the image of Alex.
"Your Majesties… Merslin, Elena…" His voice echoed softly from the mist, distant and strange.
Merslin furrowed his brows. "Master Alex, is that truly you? Or just an illusion?"
The figure became clearer, revealing Alex's full form.
"I'm not truly here. This is merely a projection."
Elena sighed in relief, but asked, "Why are you meeting us like this? Why not come in person?"
The illusion smiled faintly. "I cannot appear to you directly at this time. But I knew you would come. I've sent this image to deliver a message."
Merslin's tone grew firm. "What is it you need to tell us? Why did you leave without a word?"
The illusion paused before answering. "I am no longer just a man. My essence—my mission—has changed. I've chosen to follow the will of Hwanung."
Elena glanced at Merslin, confused. "Hwanung? Who is that?"
Merslin answered gently. "He's a god from Korean mythology. A deity who walks closer to humanity—one who heralded the age of mankind."
Elena nodded slowly, trying to grasp the meaning. "So Master Alex has become his messenger…"
Alex's image nodded. "Correct. I am now his avatar, sent to carry out his will. Your Majesties… a great threat is approaching. Hyperion's ambitions have not ceased. He will stop at nothing to fulfill them."
Merslin spoke with resolve. "Then we must fight together. We need you, Master."
The illusion's smile was calm, yet bittersweet. "I haven't left you—I left to protect you. There are tasks only I can carry out. But before that, I needed to warn you."
Elena asked quietly, "What is the warning?"
Alex's projection grew solemn. "Hyperion will move soon. His plan is already underway. He intends to bring both Elysium and Luminaria under his control. His power has grown—far beyond anything we've seen before."
Merslin, voice firm with conviction, replied, "Then we'll be ready. We won't ignore your warning. But we must meet again. The time will come when we must stand side by side."
Alex's image began to fade, his final nod firm.
"We will meet again, King Merslin. Until then, prepare yourselves. The fate of Elysium lies in your hands."
And then he was gone.
Merslin and Elena stood in silence, staring at the space where the vision had vanished, replaying his words in their minds.
Alex's warning was clear—something was coming.
And they had to be ready.