I think that after over six years of living in this place, I was finally losing it. I was being slowly torn apart, stripped of everything I love. And I was supposed to be happy? I was supposed to be energized and determined to win this war? Yeah, right. I'm a human being, and the others didn't seem to understand that. I was ripped from my family, the people I loved the most. And now, after I fall in love with the Ianite here, she starts to die? I couldn't bear the pain, and I didn't understand how the others could.

"You've been acting moodier lately." Ianite's been acting weaker lately, what did you expect my reaction to be? They're all oblivious, and seem to think it's my fault.

With a sinking feeling in my stomach, I returned to my tiny ship and sailed back to Aethoria, the only place where I really felt at home these days. I had gotten used to the permanent darkness, and it felt calming to me now. The purple glow was warming, as if Ianite's presence was surrounding me. The void around it represented the hollowness I felt at all times. This place, however dark it looked, represented me the most. I had a feeling that Alyssa felt the same way, as she spent many hours here as well.

I walked through the forest of brightly-colored trees coated in gloom, soaking in the emotions radiating from my surroundings. After a few minutes of slowly making my way through the area, I made it to the Ianite temple, where my goddess was tampering with a mechanism next to the gate.

"What are you doing?" I looked to see what she was doing. She was working with a smiling robot, whose eyes were hollow and dead. Wires spilled out of every limb, and it looked as if it hadn't been used in centuries. Knowing how old this place was, I didn't doubt it.

"I'm trying to fix this little guy," Ianite said, trying her best to repair the frayed wires. "It used to be the Happy Robot who kept intruders out of my temple. Years ago, the heroes broke it in their final battle here. I didn't bother to repair it, since nobody dangerous would be entering Aethoria. However, with Dianite 'on the loose', I figured I should replace the gate while still in a state of sanity."

"I see." I sat down next to her and watched its gray eyes spring back to life, and its smile widen. "It looks much better already!"

She stepped back and admired her work. "Almost as good as new! Perfect. I've had this robot for a while now, and I've grown quite attached." She gave his metal head a little pat. "Well, anyway, want to head inside? It's getting late. Unless you want to go on a walk for a bit," she said, seeing my expression. "You don't look too happy."

I nodded. "A walk sounds good." Ianite and I began walking around Aethoria, mindlessly passing endless trees and structures. I'd seen this entire island a million times, but the beauty of it continued to amaze me. It truly embodied Ianite's spirit.

Halfway through the walk, which had been in silence, Ianite drew in air sharply. Her hands covered her forehead, as if it was paining her, and she looked terrified.

"Ianite!" I yelled, putting my arms around her to keep her from falling. "Is Dianite near? What's going on?"

Tears rushed from her violet eyes. "I feel... so weak." She suddenly collapsed, her knees giving out under her. Spark... stop worrying about me... save... yourself...." She breathed out, before fainting onto the ground below.

"DIANITE!" I screamed into the sky, panic rushing through me. I leaned down to pick Ianite up and carry her back to a safer place, but a sudden wind knocked me back.

"No need to look so surprised," the devil laughed. "Hasn't this become routine for us?"

"Go away!" I desperately dug my feet into the ground as I made my way back to the unconscious goddess. It took a ton of effort to fight against Dianite's wind, and I was barely moving.

"Why should I?" he asked innocently. "What benefit does it give me to leave? I like suffering, if you didn't already know. Normally what I would do is gain the trust of someone, and then kill them after they've provided a service for me, but you're too stubborn. This is the only way I can watch you suffer, so I will!"

I had finally made my way to Ianite. "What benefit does it bring to you to watch all of your allies die?" I asked. "You never get attached to any of them? Is every living creature just an object to you?"

He sighed. "I must admit that I was quite attached to Tom, but I had to do what I had to do. I could sacrifice Tom in exchange for rule over all three realms, easily."

I covered Ianite's body with mine, blocking her from the harmful wind. "I thought Tom betrayed you, though. What have I done to you?"

Dianite laughed, a horrible sound that echoed around the fragile island. "You've sided with Ianite, my enemy! It would be so easy to destroy you, so why wouldn't I? I'm the devil, Spark."

I felt utterly helpless. "So am I going to sit here forever until we both die? Is that your plan?"

After I had finished speaking, the wind died down, and I fell to the ground next to Ianite. "No, no. I have better things to do with my time. Just consider this a warning, Spark. This battle may not be as simple as you expect." I felt his presence fade away, and Ianite's eyes opened.

"S... Spark!" She burst into tears again. I lifted her up gently, and she buried her face in my shoulder.

"It's okay, Ianite," I attempted to comfort her, even though it was clearly far from okay. "I'm going to take you back to the house, and you can sleep peacefully."

I began the walk back to the safety of Ianite's home, while my shirt grew soaked from her tears. The entire time, I glared at the sky, silently cursing Dianite and everyone else in this land.