The problem of Alyssa remained for quite a few months. At first, we went with the plan and kept her away while we made our plans for battle. Although reluctantly, she obeyed Mot. Unfortunately, especially once she turned eleven, she started acting up. It was way beyond any of our control. My kids had been pretty good, and never acted up quite this much.

I eventually decided to tell Ianite everything one day, while we were together in the End. "Maybe you know how to handle her? I know you never had children, but still. Is it a girl thing?"

She let out a short laugh. "I'd expect you to know better than me, Spark. You raised a boy and a girl. But I guess if you really don't know," she sighed, shaking her head at me. "If I had to guess, I'd say that she's growing into her teen phase early. She's surrounded by adults, after all. Nobody is here to keep her childhood alive."

I didn't like the sound of that. "Her teen phase? What exactly does that mean? I'm not sure that a child's 'teen phase' normally includes the kid making plans to kill us all."

She looked at me disapprovingly. Spark, she's doing what she believes will save the most people. You and the others need to respect that. But as for the teen phase, I think that her age is causing her to be more stubborn and need more support. You remember how easy it was previously to get her into a good mood. Not much has changed, but you need to be respectful and supportive of her feelings in order to get the old Alyssa back." She folded her arms at me.

I threw my hands up in exasperation. "What could you possibly want me to do? We're trying to be supportive here, in every way except for when it comes to this war! Battles aren't child's play, Ianite!"

She ran her fingers through her hair, a sign that she was stressed. "I know, I know. But I think the reason that she's so persistent about this war is because you guys haven't been listening to her much lately. You're so caught up in your own problems that you won't even bother to listen to her. You're selfish, and you've forgotten that there's a young, growing girl who needs your help! All you do is shrug her off and ignore her! Oh, you're waiting for her to be old enough to understand you? Well guess what? By that time, it'll be too late!" She was practically shouting at me. By the end, I could see how hurt she was, and I wasn't entirely sure why.

"Ianite, what's wrong?" I held her hand between mine, which tended to calm her down. "This isn't about the girl, is it?"

She took a deep breath. "No, it's not. I'll have you understand, Spark, that as a girl growing up, I was outcast. I was the little sister of the family. My older brothers were more powerful, therefore more loved. At least Mianite cared for me a little. But still, I had many thoughts of anger and resentment towards the ones who had shrugged me off. I really don't like the same thing happening to this little girl."

I didn't know what to say to cheer her up, so I didn't say anything. "What do you want us to do to help Alyssa, then? What would you have wanted the others to do to you when you were her age?"

"Well... I think what I really wanted was for someone to hear me out. Shall we go speak to the girl? She could probably use some more support at this point."

"Yeah, I suppose so," I began, but Ianite was already out the door. I picked up my sword and dashed after her. We jumped into the small boat that I had constructed in my free time to travel between Aethoria and the overworld, and flew into the abyss.

"How rude were you to her when she asked about helping with the war effort?" Ianite asked, a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"Uh... I don't really remember. It was a long time ago. Knowing Jeriah's past with her, though, I doubt he phrased it very nicely. And I know that she was upset with Mot for a long time."

Ianite cursed quietly. "You let her down from the start, now didn't you? This will be difficult to repair." I hung my head guiltily as we strolled through the grassy fields towards Mot's house, where Alyssa was today.

We were greeted with a tired-looking Mot. "I just had to deal with her anger for three hours straight. If you could help me out, that would be nice," he said to Ianite as he picked vegetables from his garden.

"I'll do my best," Ianite promised, giving me a worried glance. I wasn't so sure that this was a good idea, but my lady continued up the ladders and in front of Alyssa's bedroom.

Ianite knocked on the door, and Alyssa answered immediately. "What do you want now, Mot... Ianite? What are you doing here?" She saw me behind the goddess and shot me a glare.

"I'd like to have a friendly talk with you," Ianite said in a calm voice. "I promise that Spark will not say anything else... rude... to you." She shot me yet another disapproving glance.

The girl sighed. "I guess I have to have this talk, don't I?"

"Yes," Ianite said, walking in and sitting on the edge of her bed. "I'd like to speak with you about how you've been acting lately." I stood awkwardly by the door, wondering how Ianite was going to be able to get through to this girl.

Alyssa let out a frustrated groan. "Not again. All I've been getting lately is 'you're being childish' and 'you don't understand' and 'go make more flower crowns'. It doesn't end, does it? Nobody ever takes my side! And you know why? Because nobody ever bothers to hear me out! And nobody takes me seriously!" She started throwing pillows at Ianite in an attempt to get her out of her room. Tears of fury were rising in the little girl's eyes.

"That's what I'm here for, Alyssa," the goddess responded in a soothing voice. "I want to hear your side of the story. I promise that I'll take you seriously."

She stopped throwing things and folded her arms. "Yeah, right. You storm into my room, with Spark, to hear me out?" She sighed. "Look, Ianite. I don't need whatever help you can provide. Your own brother sided with my father, and he's my best friend! My... my only friend." She suddenly burst into tears. Shocked, I took a step back.

"It's okay, Alyssa," Ianite reached out and embraced the little girl, stroking her hair in an effort to get her to stop crying. "I am not my brother. I am here to listen to whatever you have to say, you know that? I will be your friend, and by your side, no matter what." After that sweet bonding moment, she looked up and shot me an exasperated look. "And Mr. Spark here clearly isn't very good at raising kids, despite his years of experience."

I heard a slight laugh from Alyssa, whose head was buried into my lady's shoulder.