I feel like our time spent in the Realm of Mianite was measured by my age. After all, I spent almost my entire childhood in this place, although it didn't really feel like a true childhood. When I was six years old, I was an innocent little girl who had a bad history with death and loss. When I was seven, I started fighting, and transforming into a new person. And now I was eight.

"You know," Mianite said to me one day. "You've really changed since I first met you. You seem like you've grown up a lot, in the span of less than two years. You're much stronger now, both mentally and physically. And I feel like I can trust you with more now."

I raised an eyebrow. "I thought you had told me everything. That's what you said."

He looked uncomfortable. "Well... perhaps not everything, child. The thing about gods is that there are multiple sides to them. There is no all 'good' guy, and no god is completely 'bad'. I feel like you understand this already, though."

My heart pounded as I thought of what Dianite had told me long ago. "Yeah... I figured. Not that I know what your bad side is." I prayed that he couldn't see through my lie.

He sighed. "Well, maybe that's a story for another time. I was just wondering if you felt... if you felt it." When he saw my puzzled glance, he added, "I feel different all of a sudden. Not a good different either. I felt so powerful when Dianite died, like everything in the world was full of peace and happiness. Lately, however, I felt like it was slipping away, and I couldn't bring it back. Do you feel it too?"

Should I tell him about Dianite visiting me? "No, I don't feel it. Maybe it's just because you're a god. Does Ianite feel it too?" At least that wasn't a lie.

"Don't have a clue," he replied. "Maybe I should ask her." We sat in silence for a moment. "Anyway, it's getting late, child. You might want to head back home now." I thanked him and left.

When I arrived back at the castle, Mot was brewing some potions in one of the small rooms. "Hey, Alyssa. Dinner is in one of the chests over there. I made you some steak, and pumpkin pie for dessert."

Thanks, Dad!" I retrieved my meal and then watched as he dumped more ingredients into the brewing stand. "Why are you making potions?"

"Just in case," he said. I wasn't sure if I believed him, but I didn't ask any more questions. I wanted to be alone.

I climbed up one of the ladders to the top of the castle. I brought my dinner to a small balcony overlooking the desert, and sat down on a stone chair to eat. I wasn't sure there was anything more calming then watching the sun set over sand that reflected the pink sky. I could see for miles, but there were no buildings in sight. Our alternates had kept this part of the land natural.

"Why are you up here?" I turned to see Mot enter. He sat on the chair next to me and looked out at the sunset.

I shrugged. "It's pretty." I went back to eating, but he wasn't finished.

"Something's clearly bothering you, Alyssa. You know that you can trust me with anything, right?" His voice was so comforting and convincing that I couldn't hold it in any longer.

I leaned back and closed my eyes. "The forces of evil are coming back out, Dad. Mianite can feel it too. Dianite's returning."

He was silent for a moment. "What do you mean, Mianite can feel it too? What can you feel?"

My heart pounded. "Well... okay, I have to admit something." I looked out at the darkening sky. "A... a few months ago, I heard Dianite talking to me. He told me that Mianite wasn't as great as he seemed, to make me join his side, I guess."

He jumped to his feet, scaring me. "DIANITE TALKED TO YOU? Oh my god, what did he do to you?"

I shrunk away from him, frightened. "N... nothing, Dad! He just talked to me, and then I went home!" A few years ago, I would've been on the verge of tears, but I was different now.

He let out a sigh of relief and sat back down. "Sorry to scare you. It's just that, well, Dianite talked to me too. He... he thought I was Tom. And, of course, Tom was the one who killed him. Dianite wants to take his revenge out on me. He brought me into the nether where... where he appeared. He's alive, Alyssa, and he isn't messing around this time. He's out for blood." He buried his face in his hands, and I was afraid he was going to cry.

"It's okay, Dad," I said, my voice shaking. "He can't hurt us when we're not in the nether. It'll be fine." I hoped I could keep that promise.

He nodded. "Well, anyway, it's time for you to head to sleep. I'll go plant some more. See you later, Alyssa." He got up and hurried away. My heart sank, and I was left to finish my food alone. I watched as the sky turned completely black, then got up to go to my bedroom.

I lay on my bed for a few hours, tears sliding down my face. I was remembering my parents, back in Katsir. I remembered how my mother's last act was to save me. I remembered Andor hugging me when I told him my story, and Mot promising me that he would always protect me. I remembered all of the times throughout my childhood that I had cried. I had always had someone to comfort me, though. Andor and Mot were always there for me, and I had always felt protected.

Who was going to help me this time?

Eventually, I exited my room. Mot had already gone to sleep, so I exited the castle. I started walking around, my path lit up by the moon and the torches attached to stone pillars. I could almost hear the comforting voice of my best friend, and his arms around me, telling me everything was going to be okay.

Except that, this time, nothing was okay.