Despite the Union's efforts to stabilize the network of realms and their newfound role as stewards of the Gates, not all factions within the Union were in agreement with this shift. A powerful and influential group within the Union, disillusioned by the perceived loss of their imperial ambitions, sought to undermine the fragile alliance with the Custodians and the other realms.
These dissenters believed that the Union's focus on cooperation and balance was a sign of weakness and that true power lay in exploiting the Gates to their fullest extent. They argued that the Union had sacrificed its strength for the sake of diplomacy and were determined to seize control of the Gate of Ages and other critical points within the network.
Under the leadership of a charismatic and ruthless figure known as General Kael, this faction began a covert campaign to destabilize the Union's new governance structure. They orchestrated a series of attacks against key installations, sabotaged the magical wards protecting the Gate of Ages, and spread disinformation to sow discord among the Union's allies.
The internal strife reached its peak when General Kael's faction launched a full-scale assault on the Union's central command. Their forces, equipped with stolen technology and dark magic, overran the defenses and seized control of crucial facilities. The Custodians and the other realms were caught off guard, and the carefully maintained balance of the network began to crumble.
As the Union fell into chaos, the consequences of General Kael's actions became apparent. The Gate of Ages, now left unguarded and poorly maintained, began to fluctuate wildly, causing disruptions across the realms. Portals between worlds malfunctioned, and unstable energy surges threatened to tear apart the fabric of reality itself.
The Custodians, realizing the severity of the situation, called for an emergency summit with representatives from the affected realms. The summit aimed to address the immediate threat posed by the Union's internal conflict and to devise a plan to restore order to the network. However, the growing instability made it difficult to coordinate a unified response.
Amid the chaos, a small group of Union loyalists, led by Admiral Elyra, fought to regain control and restore order. They sought out remnants of the Custodians' support and reached out to allies in Terra Novum and beyond. Their goal was to reclaim the Gate of Ages and prevent further damage to the network.
The battle for the Gate of Ages was fierce and desperate. The loyalists faced off against General Kael's forces in a climactic confrontation that determined the fate of the network. With the help of the Custodians and their allies, the loyalists managed to overcome Kael's faction and restore control over the critical points within the network.