Yumoto yelped as Epinard pulled him closer, "Why are they doing this?! I don't understand, I can't bring Hireashi back!"

"Yes, you can!" Luna cried, "The demons are after your very soul!"

Yumoto blinked and frowned, "I...I know they told me that but…"

"But, you didn't believe them." Sol spat and Yumoto froze as the God of the Sun turned to Zundar, "You know you're going to fail."

"I will be destroying that heir!" The demon growled and Yumoto frowned, "Yumoto."

"Wh-what…?"

"My name is Yumoto."

Zundar frowned, "I know your name."

"Then, why don't you say it? You always call me heir. You want me to die but refuse to speak my name!"

"He's scared." Sol spat, "He knows if he learns your name, he won't want to kill you!"

Yumoto blinked and Sol glared at Zundar and froze as he heard Dadacha, "My twins!"

"By the Gods...you're here too?!"

Yumoto frowned and groaned, "Can't we just leave me alone!?"

"NO!"

"Your grace!" Akihito called out and Yumoto gasped as he saw the God of Dimensions standing in a hallway, "Follow me!"

Epinard nodded and the duo ran with him.

"This is a secret passage...Mamoru and I used to play in this all the time." Akihito smiled as they ran inside. He grunted as he closed the wall once more and Yumoto looked around, "I never knew about this."

"Really?" He frowned, "I'm surprised you haven't, this is where we hid during demon attacks as children."

"You...had attacks too?"

"Yes, some." Akihito replied and looked down, "Your grace...they're looking for you. They're coming for you."

Yumoto froze and began to tear up, "I have had dreams of darkness...I.." He looked up, "Araki is our last line of defense."

"Huh?"Epinard frowned and looked at Yumoto, who had his hands clasped together. "Yumoto, what do you mean?"

"I fear that…" he gasped out as the palace shook as a boom of energy hit, he looked at Epinard, "We're too late!" He lamented, "I fear the worst!"

"Yumoto, Hireashi can't break free without you!"

"Exactly!" Yumoto cried, near hysteria, "I know!"

Akihito frowned and Yumoto grabbed at Epinard's hands. "It's all my fault…" He whispered, "All my fault…"

Zundar growled as he stood next to Luna, "You all think you will win...I have seen Hireashi coming back, so has your heir."

Sol growled as he formed a ball of energy in his hands, "I refuse to let you get him!" He spat, "You already had us almost kill Yumoto when he was born!"

"And you failed!" Zundar screamed, "You failed with the one task we gave you...then you failed again!"

"We aren't your puppets!" Sol screeched, "You and Dadacha used us…! You tried to use Araki too!"

"You were the best we had too. You almost destroyed the prince until that day he let Kouki awaken his powers!"

"We are not going to give him back to you. Hakone Yumoto and Hakone Kouki are not the same!"

"That is where you are wrong~" A new voice laughed, the God of Writing walked out with a scroll in hand as he opened it and read aloud, "The heir and the first God of Love are the same. Hakone Yumoto is the reincarnation of Hakone Kouki." He smirked, "He is more powerful than any other God of Love!"

Luna gasped and covered his mouth, "No, that's impossible!" The God of the Moon cried, "He…" he looked at his brother, "That is why...that is why Hireashi wants him dead…"

"Exactly." Zundar smiled and gasped out as Gora jumped between him and the twins.

"Zundar."

"Gorar…" Zundar hissed and smiled, "You're late. Brother dearest already ran away."

"I don't care." Gora spat, "You are not getting my brother again. He is not giving himself to Hireashi!"

"You're a fool, Maximum Gorar...Lord Hireashi wanted to curse you too."

"He didn't, he failed."

"Your brother's energy flows here...I can sense him running. You know it in your heart that your brother will not live."

"You tell lies!" Gora hissed and looked up as he heard a loud cry of fear from his brother.

He turned quickly to see his brother being shoved out from behind a bookshelf by Dadacha.

"Yumoto!"

The heir froze as he heard his name, "He attacked Epinard and Akihito! They're stuck in a passageway!" He cried and Dadacha smirked as the God of Art grabbed the boy.

"Hakone Yumoto...no...Hakone Kouki." Zundar smiled and watched the look of true terror fill the boy, "Say goodbye to your family, as we have something planned for you!"

"NO!" Sol screamed and Yumoto looked at him, "Get Araki! He has the only thing we can use!"

"Yumoto!"

Yumoto gasped as his suitor ran out with the sword in hand, "Let go of him!" Tungsten screamed as he charged at Dadacha, he gasped as a barrier stopped him.

As he did, Yumoto formed the harp in his hands, "Araki, take this!" He screamed as it began to glow, Tungsten gasped as the harp flew into his own hands, "H-huh!?"

"Your grace!" Akihito cried as he appeared next to him, "Grab my hand, we must go…"

"Where are you taking him!?" Gora gasped and Akihito looked down, "We'll be back, I promise!"

"An-chan!" Yumoto cried, "Araki...I-I'll…" He gasped as Akihito began to shove him into the portal, "Come find me! Th-the Gate of Time!"

"Your Grace, now!" The God of Dimensions screamed as he held the boy back, Zundar growled as the duo disappeared and Tungsten held the harp in his hands.

Sol and Luna froze as all what remained was a few bits of rubble. "W-what…?"

Tungsten looked down as he could hear Kouki's sharp words, "Awaken before he is taken from you! He is the key to Hireashi."

Zundar's eyes narrowed at the Gods, "I will be back...I will find that gate and kill the heir of love!"

"Tough luck, Zundar!" Tungsten screamed, "I will destroy you…" His eyes narrowed, "I will awaken my own powers and get rid of you!"

"We shall see...Lord Tungsten…"

with that, the demons disappeared with the Gods of Art and Writing.

Tungsten looked at the rubble on the floor, "Yu-Yumo-chan…" He whispered as he held the harp tightly in his hands as his violet eyes hardened, "I'll find you both!"

Yumoto blinked as they appeared in a small temple, he froze, "Akihito...where….where are we?!"

"This…" Akihito smiled, "This...was the start of the Palace of Love...this is shortly before….before my father died."

"Huh…?" Yumoto blinked, "Why are we here?"

"I have a plan."

"What is it?"

"We are to gather all twelve Gods of Love...and destroy Hireashi."

"And me?"

"You...you cannot fight with us. Hireashi will destroy you first."

Yumoto frowned at that, "You know what will happen to me...right?"

"I fear...I fear I do."

"I will be sacrificed."

"Yes." Akihito whispered, "The God of Time warned me. They were going to take you today."

"So, we are buying time?"

"Yes." a new voice spoke, "Hakone Yumoto...I have been waiting for you."

The God of Light turned around, he froze as he saw the man, a golden light was around him. He had long golden locks, wearing just a simple red tunic and chainmail.

"H-Hakone Kouki!"

Kouki slowly walked towards him and smiled, "I am sorry we meet again in dire times."

"I…" Yumoto smiled, "It's an honor!"

Kouki grabbed Yumoto's hand gently, Yumoto froze as he felt how warm the God of Love felt, "Yumoto, I am sorry…I have caused you so much pain...all because of me."

"How am I here before you die?"

"I was cursed an hour ago in this time. I die before nightfall, Mamoru has told me this, Akihito has as well. After...after I fought that dark lord...he cursed me to die by sunset. I retorted and said...and said...about you."

Yumoto looked down, "Don't worry…" He bowed and Kouki looked at his descendant, "Rise...I shall begin to teach you some of my own power you can use against Hireashi."

"Thank you...thank you so much!"

Kouki smiled warmly and gestured, "Follow me, Yumoto."

"Yes, Kouki."