Chapter 13: Asgard Part III
Hyperion did not fear death. Not just because, like all Eternals, he was completely immune to aging and most diseases. Or because he was so powerful, most thing's capable of killing mortals, weren't a threat to him.
But rather, he did not fear death simply because he had already lived multiple life times. He was 13034 sol cycles old or about 2000 earth years old. Fairly old, even by Eternal standards.
In fact his mind was already showing early symptoms of a condition borne from his long lived existence. It was this condition that Hyperion feared. At least certainly far more than death.
Mahd Wy'ry, the psychological affliction that some Eternals suffered from as a result of the vast amount of memories they acquire due to their immortality.
For now his symptoms were mostly minor and occured infrequently. Manageable symptoms like forgetfulness and spacing out. But these symptoms were but mere precursors to the nightmares ahead. And gradually they escalated into extended episodes of blind irrational rage. These berserker episodes had prompted him to move to Earth. Specifically to it's deserted artic region. For Hyperion did not know of anyone strong enough to quell him during these bouts of rage. It was the unfortunate price of being one the most powerful eternals. And just plain one of the most powerful beings in the universe. Nothing could stop him, short of he himself flying into the sun. And while Hyperion did not fear death, he did not yearn for it either. And thus, so as to not harm anyone should he be overcome by the Mahd Wy'ry, he moved to Antarctica. Resigning himself to eternity of self imposed isolation and loneliness. The only shake up in the dull monotony of his existence being bouts of insanity that afflicted him.
However it was during one of these fits of insanity, mindlessly melting ice glaciers and rock, that he first meet Thor.
The Asgardian had immediately engaged him in battle, thinking Hyperion was a malicious entity. They had engaged in fierce brawl nonstop for several hours. Neither needing to hold back due to the isolated setting. And to Hyperion's later amazement the, they were equally matched. Something he never thought possible to find.
When the madness eventually cleared and Hyperion gained clarity once more, they stopped to have a civil conversation. Hyperion explained his situation and Thor offered a sympathetic ear. Thor himself having to deal with his own unruly bloodlusted and constant yearning for action. Though his was far more manageable. As their discussion went on thing's between them became more cordial.
And before long they were laughing heartily like old friends, and not like two strangers who moments before were clashing. It was their first meeting, but certainly not their last. Thor made it a habit to drop by whenever the Madh Wy'ry took over. Staying with Hyperion and preventing him from causing too much destruction. And even after the madness would pass, Thor would stay behind a few hours chatting with Hyperion. Updating him on all things Hyperion was inevitably missing out on whiles sequestered there. Over the course of a few months their friendship grew and blossomed. And one day during Thor's many visits, gifted Hyperion the megingjord belt of strengthening. Explaining that the belt not only strengthened the body but the mind as well. Thus, helping to stave off bouts of Mahd Wy'ry. Something Hyperion was incredibly grateful for, though even with the belt, he felt apprehensive about the possibility of hurting others. So he continued to stay on Antarctica.
Their meet ups however abruptly stopped when Thor stopped showing up for seemingly no reason. Hyperion irrationally mistook Thor's absenteeism as a slight against him. And was deeply hurt by the loss of his only form of consistent outside contact. Not knowing the true reason for Thor's absence was that by then, he had been captured by the Ancient One.
Without Thor, Hyperion's next Mahd Wy'ry induced rampage was more acute and disastrous.
And that was how the Ancient One discovered his existence all the way up in the isolated regions of Antarctica. Leading to his capture and their surrendiptous reunion.
All this to say that, despite occasionally bickering and sometimes, full on fighting, the two had an intensely strong bond. With both (but Hyperion especially) being more than willing to die for the other.
So as the The Destroyer Armor slowly stalked menancingly towards the two of them, Hyperion was fully intended on sacrificing himself to save Thor from harm. Since both were still stuck upholding the entire royal palace of Asgard and effectively sitting ducks open to attack.
But, Hyperion never had the chance to self sacrifice because, once again, a solution for their predicament came from the most unlikely of places.
From out of no where, two perfect replicas of Thor and Hyperion shimmered into existence, right in front of the destroyer Armor. Thor immediately recognized it as an illusion spawned from Asgardian sorcery.
The Armor however wasn't aware of this and the illusions made it pause it's pursuit. It looked between the original Hyperion and Thor and two holographic fakes, clearly attempting to decipher which it should target. Eventually, the Armor fell for the fakes and attempted to swipe at them. The illusions dodged the attack and began to flee. Prompting the lumbering Armor to chase after them. And together they left immediate vicinity.
Hyperion and Thor gave a unanimous sigh of relief, pleased that the immediate crisis was gone for now.
"Thank you Loki" Thor said looking expectantly around, through the thick cloud of dust still floating in the air, for his brother .
" What happened?" asked a familiar but distinctly not-Loki-like voice, as the person walked over to Thor and Hyperion.
It was Frigga, looking frazzled and dishelved, clearly having rushed down here as fast as she could.
Her right hand was outstretched and aimed in the direction of where the Armor and illusions had headed off to. Evidently she was the one who had cast the illusions to draw away the Destroyer.
"Mother... I would love to answer you. But you need to clear the area, we can't keep this up for much longer. And it will surely collapse soon" Thor grunted out in a strained voice. With the immediate danger of armor gone, both Hyperion and Thor were more aware of there incredible burden they were trying to carry.
Frigga quickly assessed the predicament of her son and Hyperion and came to an equally rapid conclusion.
She muttered something in a different language that neither Thor and Hyperion could understand. But they intuitively new it was ancient and powerful.
As she continued the incantation, thick brown vines began to sprout from the ground around the two. Slowly but steadily these vines usurped the load from Hyperion and Thor taking over as a makeshift support for the palace.
After the vines had grown thick and sturdy enough, Thor and Hyperion cautiously stepped away. When they were certain that the vines weren't liable to collapse, they collapsed to ground in exhaustion. Eager to catch their breathes and recuperate.
"Okay, I've summoned some vines from the Ydgrassil tree to o support the castle. It should hold till we can get artificers to repair the damage. Now tell me what's going on".
Through large gulps of air, Thor recounted their plan and last hour of events
After hearing everything, Frigga shook her head in disbelief. Muttering something about Loki's tomfoolery going too far in this instance. And that she would deal with the boy when things settled down.
"As ridiculous as Loki's plan was. And as stupid as it was for you two to carry it out... at the end of the day it seems to have worked somewhat. " Frigga began.
"But, to avoid further carnage and needless endangerment, let me help out. I shall cast a second-shadow spell over you two. So that a pair of illusions of yourselves tail behind the real you. Allowing for you two to be several meters a head of Armor. Whiles the illusions remain within sight of Armor but constantly out of reach from it. That way you can still lead it down to Midgard, but you both are safe from harm. Agree?"
Frigga finished.
Thor and Hyperion, shared a brief look between each other before comically nodding their heads rigoursly simultaneously.
Pleased with this answer, Frigga brought down the hand that had been maintaining the previous illusion the destroyer was chasing. Causing it to fade. From somewhere out of sight, the Armor actually roared in frustration as the illusions it had been chasing abruptly vanished. It's feet could then be heard thundering back towards them. Likely returning back Hyperion and Thor.
Before it arrived back, Frigga quickly cast another spell causing two illusions of Hyperion and Thor to once again manifest not too far from the originals.
" The illusions will trail slightly behind you, but ultimately will still be following your lead. Followed by the armor which will likely be following the illusions."
Frigga explained once again.
"Now go to bifrost. I'll have Heimdall standing at the ready to take you both down to Midgard" Frigga said just as the Armor came back into view.
Without hesitation, both Thor and Hyperion flew off through a blown out hole in castle and towards the bifrost. As they went the two couldn't help but laugh in delight as they saw the plan was working and armor was chasing after the illusions in effectively firing it's attack at them.
"We did it. We got our 'army' " Hyperion declared.
"Aye, let's just hope the others are as successful as we are" Thor replied.
