Over the years our sons and daughters grew up. It was bittersweet, seeing them go from young kids to young adults, however Dawn is still a child being only ten. Kaito, who was 13 entered his rebellious phase and was spending more time flirting with girls and hanging out with his friends than training. Pisces feared that he wouldn't be ready. Rio was 19 and had graduated from his training as the future god of the freshwaters and came out of the closet with some encouragement from his dad.

  Dusk, who was 20, had become very protective of his little sister, much to her annoyance. She was quite the independent girl.

  “I'm fine Dusk. No need to worry about me!” She exclaimed with a smile. “I can handle the bad guys!”

  Dawn was learning how to control her powers over dreams and stars and harness the power of light, just like her mother. She was also learning how to fight with knives and daggers and was improving at a rapid pace.

  “Keep your eyes focused,” her instructor told her. “Don't lose sight of the target.”

  She was teaching her how to throw daggers at enemies. Dawn was very focused. The target flew in front of her and she hit it, narrowly missing the bullseye.

  “Dang it.” Dawn deflated a bit.

  “You're improving at a rapid pace.” I told her. My beautiful daughter beamed. She ran up and hugged me. “Careful with those things Dawn!”

  She put them away.

  “Sorry dad,” she said sheepishly. I ruffled her hair.

  “No need to be sheepish, kiddo. Now go back to your instructor.”

  She fixed her hair and ran back to the instructor who continued teaching her combat for another hour before her combat lessons ended for the day. After that she had her education lessons and she was doing wonderfully on those too. It was bittersweet seeing her grow up to be a nice young lady.

  In the background I heard Dusk and Rio sparring and having fun. Hanako and Artemis were doing their tutoring with their tutors. We had no idea where Kaito was and Pisces got annoyed and worried.

  “Ughhh where is he? He's late for training.”

  Kaito came in about ten minutes later and the two got into an argument.

  “Why do you have to be so uptight?! I bet mom wouldn’t have let you be this strict.”

  “Your mother would've been even more strict. Now get changed and we’ll get started on your training. You’re ten minutes late.”

  Kaito rolled his eyes and went to change. Honestly I didn't think he’d ever get that kid to be disciplined, but Kaito did eventually take his training a little more seriously after Pisces paid someone to do a sneak attack on him.

  “It was the only way to get him to learn,” he told me. I facepalmed.

  “That wasn't a good idea.”

  “It worked.”

  I rolled my eyes and smiled.

  ?????????????????

  Their children were all growing up. I still wanted to rip Yang’s family apart, I couldn't incapacitate his wife. I could rip his children from him. I had to bide my time again.

  My nephew grew to be quite strong and I knew he’d do anything to protect the ones he cares about.

  I formulated a way to rip Dusk away from Yang and use him as my personal soldier. It would've ripped Yang’s heart over and over to see the next generation being forced to fight his beloved son.

  Virgo was spending time with the others so I mostly left her alone unless I wanted to talk to her. Sometimes we spent time together and it was enjoyable.

  Pisces tried the diplomatic approach when it came to returning his wife. I simply threw each letter into a fire or gave it to Phoenix to burn. Nothing would make me give her up. Their attempts at diplomacy were futile. Even Virgo tried to convince me with no success. She said I was just as hard headed as Yang, which I sort of took offense too. I hate being compared to Yang.

  I refused to talk to any of them about anything. Yang and I only ever conversed about the stability of space and time, and it happened once. We trust each other to not mess up the delicate fabric of space and time. That was it.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  I had to wait to rip Dusk away from everyone. I knew exactly how I wanted to do it.

  ?????????????????

  The day was quiet as the young gods were training and studying to be rulers of their domains when their parents retired. Dusk already became ruler of his domain, light and hope, allowing his parents to just relax. Yang still had his multiverse duties as the creator-god of light and space, a job that requires him to have at least a little bit of contact with Yin.

  A letter comes to Yang.

  Prepare yourself.

  Before he could react, a large explosion was heard outside. Yang rushed out to see what the commotion was and was horrified to see Yin’s soldiers swarming the castle. The young gods tried to fight them off as best as they could, their parents helping them. Dusk was holding his own pretty well. He was quickly distracted by his uncle walking towards his sister.

  Dawn threw a dagger at him, trying to protect herself. Yin simply moved out of the way. She shot a burst of light which was quickly smacked away. He grabbed her harshly by the arm, which caused her to fly into hysterics.

  “LET ME GO!! LET ME GO!!” She screamed and struggled to free her arm from his tight grip.

  “You’re coming with me you little brat.”

  “DAWN!” Dusk and Yang shouted. They both ran over and rammed Yin to the side, forcing him to let her go. Yang began fighting Yin.

  “Dawn. Are you okay?” Dusk asked as he began consoling his hysterical sister. “You aren't hurt are you?”

  Dawn shook her head no while still crying hysterically, clinging to her older brother. She was absolutely terrified.

  Yang was knocked into a wall, unconscious. Yin made his way to the siblings again.

  Helena went in front of Yin and pointed her spear at his neck, stopping him.

  “Leave! You will NEVER take my daughter or my son!”

  “Look at you being a mama bear. I'm touched.” He moved the spear away from his neck, only for it to be pointed at him again. He scowled.

  “Dusk, take your sister somewhere safe,” Helena ordered.

  Dusk tried to do as told, only for a copy of Yin to grab Dawn and teleport her to Yin. Helena quickly moved her spear away, not wanting to hurt her daughter. Dawn was even more hysterical and Helena tried to get her out of Yin’s grip. Yin conjured his own dagger, a foot long well maintained blade, and put it against Dawn’s throat.

  “One more step and I'll slit her throat.”

  Helena froze, completely helpless.

  “Please, let her go! She's just a child!”

  “Be quiet.” Yin used his powers to send Helena flying against a wall, also knocking her unconscious.

  “MOM!!” Dawn shouted.

  “Shut it you little brat!” Yin dug the dagger slightly into her throat, just enough to make a small cut, causing her to bleed slightly, and squeezed her arm harder. Dawn yelped in pain and cried some more, but was forced to calm her hysterics so as to not get herself hurt.

  “Let her go!” Dusk demanded.

  “Why should I? She'd make a good heiress. So much potential.”

  “She's my sister you freak! She’ll never side with you!”

  “You impudent boy.” Yin opened a portal behind him and slowly began walking backwards towards it. “She doesn't have a choice.”

  Dawn became hysterical and frantically tried to escape Yin, but he held her arm tightly and the knife dug deeper into her skin, forcing her to stop struggling.

  Dusk’s mind raced as he frantically thought of a way to save his sister. He knew Yin would kill her if he got close. Desperate, Dusk blurted out something that would alter the course of history.

  “TAKE ME INSTEAD!!” He impulsively shouted, just as Yin reached the edge of the portal. Yin stopped walking. “Let her go, and take me instead. I'll do whatever you want, just don't take her!”

  Yin smiled slightly.

  “Is this a deal I'm hearing?”

  “Yes. Her freedom in exchange for my capture.”

  Yin paused for a second and began laughing.

  “This isn't funny!”

  “You must really care for your darling little sister. I accept your offer.”

  The other heirs quickly joined him.

  “What's-” Rio noticed Dawn being held against her will. “Let her go!” He was about to charge at Yin.

  Yin thought about it for a second, conjured his dagger away and pushed Dawn towards them. She ran and hugged her brother, her cut healing itself in the process.

  “She's useless now.” He beckoned Dusk forward. “A deal’s a deal Dusk, but I'll let you say your goodbyes to your friends.”

  “What’s he talking about?” Hanako asked, confused and concerned.

  Dusk took a minute to gather his words, tears going down his face.

  “I... offered myself in exchange for my sister. I'm sorry.”

  “Oh my stars...” Artemis said, stunned. Rio hugged him. Hanako just started crying. Dawn was still in hysterics.

  “Please don't leave Dusk! Please don't leave!” She begged, clinging to him.

  He went down to her eye level.

  “Do me a favor will you? I don't want to see you cry. Even on the battlefield, please don't cry.”

  “I don't want to fight you.”

  “I don't want to either, but I know Yin’s going to make me. None of you hold back.”

  “Hurry up Dusk. I don't have all day. I'm on a tight schedule,” Yin snapped at him, conjuring up a small black schedule book with tabs sticking out of it. “I'll be late to my meeting if you don't hurry up.”

  Dusk gave a quick hug to them, and with a heavy heart and tears rolling down his cheeks, walked towards Yin and into the portal. Yin followed behind and the portal closed. Yin’s forces left shortly after.

  Rio spent the next six hours comforting Dawn, who spent the rest of the day on and off crying. When Yang and Helena heard the news, they were distraught, Helena in absolute hysterics. Yang tried to stay strong for his family, but even he struggled to control his emotions.

  Yang was trying to cope with everything while stepping back up as the god of hope and light. The sting of losing his son became too much for him to bear and he fell to his knees, crying out in anguish.

  Yin watched from his throne and smiled a huge, evil smile, satisfied that he finally broke his brother. He looked at his nephew, chained with wings torn, face bruised, back covered in lashes.

  “Welcome to hell, Dusk. I'm going to make sure your stay is up to your standards.” He blasted Dusk with his dark powers with a cruel grin. “I'll have my guards escort you to your new room. You're going to absolutely love it.” Yin’s voice was full of malice and his grin became more cruel.

  Two guards grabbed Dusk, forced him to stand up, and practically dragged him to the dungeons. Dusk had already begun his descent into despair and he desperately hoped he would be saved.

  Virgo was unaware that Yin had his nephew as a prisoner and planned to turn him into his slave of war.

  The battle between light and darkness has entered a new era.

  To be continued....

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