High above the battlefield, far beyond the sight of those fighting below, two women were observing everything that had just transpired.
They were Asteria and Iris.
They had been watching the entire phenomenon unfold—the disruption of the battlefield, the sudden destruction of Aetherion's realm, and the unexpected arrival of a powerful enemy.
At first, they had believed they might need to intervene.
When Hyperion shattered the hidden realm—something neither of them had sensed beforehand—Asteria had even prepared to move.
She had been ready to interfere in the battle.
But in the end, it had not been necessary.
Because by the time Hyperion broke through…
The battle had already been decided.
Pallas was dead.
It was as simple as that.
Now a new battle had begun—between Hyperion and Aetherion.
For a moment, both women were too stunned to react.
Then a smile slowly bloomed across Asteria's face, and she chuckled softly.
"Did you see that~?" she said, her voice alluring yet filled with clear delight. "It seems our plan worked."
Metis remained silent from the other side of the crystal floating infront Asteria at first, staring intently at the scene unfolding below.
She was observing everything through the rainbow projection iris had left behind earlier—one of her abilities that allowed Metis to monitor the battlefield.
Finally, her voice came through the crystal-like projection.
"Yes… it seems so."
Her tone was calm, but there was no hiding the faint satisfaction within it.
"We should proceed with the next step," Iris continued. "Go to Hera and the others and tell them to retreat. I will inform the rest of our forces as well."
Though she spoke seriously, both women noticed the trace of happiness in her voice.
Their plan had succeeded.
"It shall be done,"
Asteria replied.
"Yes, yes, we should hurry!"
Iris added quickly.
In the next instant, both women vanished from the sky and reappeared beside Hera.
***
Hera stood there calmly, no longer shocked.
She was watching the battle above, silently considering whether she should intervene to help her brother.
Before she could decide, Asteria and Iris appeared before her.
"Lady Hera, it is good to see you,"
Asteria said with a polite and happy smile.
"Yes, yes! My lady, you fought wonderfully in this battle—so strong!"
Iris added excitedly.
Hera looked at them, a small smile forming on her lips.
But confusion soon followed.
"Thank you… but what are you two doing here?" she asked. "You weren't supposed to be present on this battlefield."
Asteria answered calmly.
"We came as reinforcement—to ensure that our objective would be completed. The defeat of Pallas."
Iris nodded and continued,
"When Pallas released his divine form earlier, the entire world felt it. Because of that, Metis sent us to make sure everything proceeded according to plan."
Hera listened carefully, her expression becoming serious as she nodded.
"I see."
"And now?"
she asked.
Asteria's smile returned.
"Now we retreat. Our goal has already been accomplished."
Hera hesitated for a moment before asking,
"And what about Aetherion?"
There was concern in her voice.
In her divine form she could see the battle clearly enough.
Aetherion wasn't attacking Hyperion directly.
Instead, he was constantly teleporting away as Hyperion appeared wherever he moved.
It almost looked like teleportation…
But Hera suspected something else.
Hyperion speed.
That absurd speed.
She shook her head and spoke again.
"So we are simply leaving?"
Asteria tilted her head slightly, a mischievous smile appearing on her lips.
"My, my… it seems someone is quite concerned."
A faint blush appeared on Hera's cheeks, and she quickly looked away.
"Hmph. It's only natural to be concerned,"
she muttered quietly.
Before the conversation could continue, Iris stepped forward firmly.
"This is not the time for that. We need to leave immediately. We will retrieve everyone."
Hera sighed softly.
"Fine."
She raised her hand.
Immediately, countless portals opened behind the rebel army—gateways leading back to their hidden domain.
Her voice rang across the battlefield.
"Everyone, retreat! Our objective has been accomplished. Be proud—we have won!"
Silence and then cheers erupted from the rebel forces.
Without hesitation, they began rushing toward the portals.
Pallas's remaining army tried to pursue them.
But Hera had no intention of allowing that.
She raised her hand once more.
High above the battlefield, countless weapons of light formed in the sky.
Some were forged from compressed rainbow energy.
Others were made from pure starlight.
A few were even shaped from wind and water.
Then Hera lowered her hand.
"Stay where you are," she said coldly. "This is my command."
The weapons rained down upon Pallas's army.
But it was not finished yet.
"My, my… it seems I need to reinforce it a little."
With a small snap of her fingers, the star-forged weapons glowed brighter, their power intensifying dramatically.
The rain of light grew faster.
Stronger.
More destructive.
She even altered their trajectory, directing many of them toward the remaining major gods who still stood in their divine forms.
And it didn't stop there.
The few remaining clones of Aetherion—less than a hundred of them—suddenly rushed toward the enemy forces.
Their bodies began to glow brightly, divine energy crackling around them.
They were going to explode.
Wild grins spread across their faces, mischief practically pouring out of them.
"Let's do it!"
"Yes, yes, let's do it!"
"Yeah! The real us is fighting right now. Let's make it easier for him and the others!"
"Mmm-hmm! You're right!"
Each clone charged toward one of the major gods.
These deities were the ones attempting to rally the army and pursue the retreating rebels.
The clones grabbed onto them tightly.
"Release me!"
"Get off me, you bastards!"
The major gods struggled violently, but it only made things worse for them.
Above them, Hera's weapons continued raining down—piercing their bodies, stabbing through arms, legs, and even dangerously close to their hearts.
They were not dead yet.
And now these insane clones of Aetherion were clinging to them, making escape nearly impossible.
What frightened them most was the light building inside the clones' bodies.
They were about to explode.
The clones grinned even wider.
"Bye-bye."
And then—
Boom!!
The explosions shook the battlefield, sending violent shockwaves across the land.