The age of the gods had ended, and Merslin returned to Elysium, leaving the long war behind. With Hyperion vanquished in the great battle against the Void, the universe finally found peace. No longer a surrogate of the divine, Merslin chose to live as a man among his people. As king of Elysium, he dedicated himself to rebuilding the realm, placing the restoration of peace above all else.
When Merslin departed for war, Queen Elena was carrying their twins. He had hoped to return before their birth, to become a father not only in name but in presence. But the brutal war and its unrelenting march allowed no such grace. By the time he returned, the twins were already three years old. Throughout the war, Queen Elena had stood firm, guarding Elysium alone and raising the children while awaiting her husband's return.
Merslin:"I'm sorry I wasn't there when they were born, Elena. I wanted nothing more than to witness their first breath... but the war was too long."
Elena took his hand with a gentle smile.
Elena:"You fought for Elysium, for our family, more fiercely than anyone else ever could. Without you, there would be no peace… no future for our children. But you're here now. And we can be together, all of us."
Merslin held her hand tightly, watching their twins at play. Lian and Lia ran across the palace gardens, their laughter echoing like sunlight on water. They didn't yet understand the weight their father carried, or the battles he had endured. To them, he was simply the strongest, kindest presence in the world.
Lian & Lia:"Daddy! Come play with us!"
Merslin approached them, lifting them into his arms one after the other, laughing freely. No longer a warrior or a hero—just a father. And in that moment, he knew: the joy he felt now was far greater than any victory on the battlefield.
When Merslin returned, cheers filled the streets of Elysium. Citizens poured into the avenues, celebrating his return and the peace he had secured. Riding in a carriage with his family, Merslin waved to the people—no longer as a symbol of war, but as the bearer of a new age.
Citizen 1:"The king has returned! Peace is ours again!"
Citizen 2:"Blessings upon King Merslin and his family! We no longer need to live in fear."
Back at the palace, Merslin took his seat on the throne—not as a conqueror, but as a ruler of peace. With resolve, he vowed to honor the wishes of his people and rebuild Elysium by their side.
Looking back on the battles and sacrifices, he realized that true victory was not won through power or conquest, but through the quiet joy of family, the gentle rhythm of ordinary life. He had fought long and hard for this peace, and now he would live it fully.
Merslin:"The age of gods is over. But that only means it's time for us to create our own age. Elysium is our home—and the most precious place I must protect."
Under his reign, Elysium gradually recovered and flourished. The people followed him not out of fear, but from deep respect—for his sacrifices, for his strength, and for his humanity. The twins, Lian and Lia, grew healthy and strong under Queen Elena's warm guidance, while Merslin cherished every moment at their side.
He no longer wielded powerful magic or weapons of war. Instead, he walked among his people, listened to their voices, and safeguarded peace not with force, but with compassion. His name would remain forever in Elysium's history—not just as a warrior, but as a symbol of peace and love.
As king of Elysium, Merslin finally found the quiet happiness he had sought for so long. Together with his people, he opened the doors to a new era. And in the hearts of all, he would be remembered as both a hero of war and the center of a family—a leader who brought hope, peace, and a future worth believing in.
**
Epilogue: In Honor of the Light
The sky above Elysium was serene, the moon glowing bright as always. Today was the Day of Aria—a day when all of Elysium came together to remember the moment she saved their world through her sacrifice. Across the realm, people were preparing for the ceremony that honored Aria's light.
In his home, Merslin was making songpyeon with his twin children, Lian and Lia. Born in Korea, he had always hoped to carry his traditions into Elysium. Preparing food for Aria on this special day held deep meaning for him.
"Dad, do you think Aria will like my songpyeon?" Lia asked, holding up a misshapen rice cake with tiny hands.
Merslin smiled warmly and nodded. "Of course. She'll love it. Songpyeon symbolizes the moon—and Aria is always watching over us from above. This is our way of saying thank you."
Lian, carefully shaping his dough, chimed in. "The moon is like Aria, watching us from the sky. Songpyeon looks like the moon, so it's the perfect food for her!"
Their laughter filled the room. The twins had learned how to make songpyeon from their mother, Queen Elena, and now they were helping Merslin continue the tradition. Elena divided the dough evenly and gently guided the children's hands.
"Not too big," she said kindly. "It should be shaped like a crescent moon—just like the real thing. That way, it'll look and taste even better."
Merslin joined them, his hands steady and experienced. As he kneaded the dough, he felt the memories of his homeland resurface—memories buried beneath years of war and battle.
Meanwhile, Lisa was kneading croissant dough with firm, deliberate motions. The crescent-shaped pastry represented Aria's light and sacrifice. "The moon always watches over us," she murmured. "Just like Aria did. This bread will carry her strength."
As she baked, Lisa recalled the fierce battles they had fought side by side. Aria had always stood at the front, protecting them all. Her sacrifice had become a permanent part of Elysium's history.
Serena was delicately preparing a fruit-and-herb dessert. The fruits were the freshest from Elysium, and the herbs carried healing properties. "Aria was our healer," Serena said softly. "She always cared for us. This dessert carries the spirit of her healing touch."
She had gathered the herbs herself—the same kinds Aria once used to heal her comrades. Each placement of fruit, each sprinkle of herbs, was an expression of reverence.
As evening fell, the people of Elysium gathered in the grand plaza for the ceremony. At the center stood a statue of Aria, and offerings of food were laid before it. Merslin and Elena brought the songpyeon, holding hands with Lian and Lia. One by one, citizens came forward to offer their food, whispering prayers of gratitude.
Lisa's croissants gleamed under the moonlight, symbolizing Aria's enduring light. Serena's fruit desserts brought comfort to the people, their sweetness mingled with the calming scent of herbs.
"Aria is watching us through everything we've prepared," Merslin said quietly. Lian and Lia nodded solemnly, placing their songpyeon before the statue.
"This rice cake symbolizes her radiant strength," he continued. "And by sharing it, we share in her light."
The people ate together—songpyeon, croissants, and Serena's dessert—feeling Aria's presence among them.
That night, the moon shone brighter than ever over Elysium. It was as if Aria had accepted their offerings and was watching from above. Merslin looked up with his children and whispered,
"Aria, you'll always be with us. Your light will never fade."
That night, under the moon's glow, the people of Elysium found peace and solace. Aria's sacrifice had become more than the price of their freedom—it had become a part of their everyday lives and the rhythm of their hearts.
"The story continues in Guardians of Elysium."