Author's Notes:

I was planning to add some concept sketches for both Princess Palmyria and Farries, but obviously did not.

Didn't got the time to do so. But I will add them for the next chapter.

I was gripping the handles of my throne hard as I started to hyperventilate. Many within the throne room, including the 3 changelings, were looking up at me with great concern and surprise, mostly thanks to the fact that I just started to transform into a living vacuum cleaner without any warning.

Liuanda was the first to rush up to me, her voice and tone pretty much portraying exactly what everyone else was thinking at the moment… or so I hope.

“Your highness, what’s wrong? Your highness, say something!” Liu shouted in panic as she nudged her hoof against my shoulder.

This move actually did the trick as I sharply turned my head towards the sergeant. She flinched, though didn’t get very far with her backward jerk as I quickly grasped her face with both of my hands.

“Liu, I just received… MORE WORK. Not only that, but I have just been proposed by a princess to be her groom. Oh, the insanity. I haven’t even witnessed my first bachelor party yet and I am already getting flanked by females left and right.” I exclaimed before squeezing her cheeks a bit. ”There is only one true love I have and that was the internet, right below coffee and then cheese, my top-most love in my life.” I explained with haste, my tone low and my eyes wide.

Liu, on the other hand, mimicked my expression, her eyes just as wide as mine, though filled with more confusion rather than realization.

I felt slightly miffed. No idea what else she was expecting to come out of my mouth. She should know that I really, really love my cheese and a good cup of coffee as well, followed by the wonder of the internet and my passion for art, music, and, of course, some good old history. Strange how the internet is now listed as number three given the fact that it used to be number 6. But the lost access to the internet and the fact that I left my laptop back on my world as well really makes me miss these two whenever I get bored.

No Youtube, no Twitch, no Netflix, no DeviantArt, and certainly no Youpor-YOU-INTERNET.COM… yes that one.
Anyway, back on topic.

I finally let go of Liu’s face after a full minute of just staring into her soul, which, in turn, made her feel really awkward if her darting eyes were anything to go by.

She fell backwards with a thud before I focused my attention too… Actually, no, I have some thinking to do first before saying anything.

I scratched my chin. “Let’s see, I have two options here. Either I help her, get her shit for myself in exchange for marriage so that I can keep her shit. Or not help her and not get her shit, which in turn could possibly lead to her losing or winning, either of which could lead to two extra scenarios. If she loses, it’s pretty much clear; that crazed mommy of hers is most likely going to be a real back sore later on which I obviously don’t need. But if she wins, it could lead to two separate events as well. Either nothing happens and I don’t get my shit, or something happens which circles back to event number one, though this time she gets all spiteful to me and then SHE becomes a future back sore that I really don’t want. I doubt that these Zebras have enough TNT at their disposal to blow up an entire underground passage system to keep the bugs out, and even if they do, I would certainly reach the risk of me causing more damage than preventing. Either half of the city goes up in flames with it or sink into the ground afterwards. Hmmmm, so many choices to make.” I thought to myself as I continued to scratch my chin and pucker my lips.
I stared up at the ceiling and only just noticed how well ornamented and crafted it is… such a nicely made and artistic ceiling.

My eyes went wide as I quickly realized something else instead.

“Or I could just say no and still get my shit. Yeah I think I will do just that.” I added with a hum.

I nodded to myself. I was about to readdress the little princess with my thoughts when a random guard suddenly decided to come out of fucking nowhere.

He bowed before raising back up after giving the changelings behind him something to look at. One even somewhat recoiled, either from pleasant surprise or undeniable horror. Which one it was, I don’t know.

He looked up at me with his eyes and his eyes only thanks to the fully-enclosed helmet and faceguard. “Your highness, Captain Bakuss and his companion Farries have returned and are waiting outside the throne room for your permission.

Should I allow them entry or tell them to postpone until your meeting is over?” Random guard number… whatever has announced before lowering his head again.

This caused me to respond with an “Ooh”

“Well, in that case just tell him to get his ass over here and bring his new boyfriend as well. Tell him that his princess is here too. Also, give me a detailed report of his reaction after you tell him that. I would love to see it myself, but I am currently too comfortable on the throne to be bothered to get up. Now, stop staring at the fuzz and to get me the lass.” I ordered.

The guard just gave me a quick nod before cantering off to the other side of the hall. Quite a spectacle to see in just how disrespectful this throne hall really is in terms of space. Why monarchs of old wanted so much space to walk and sit in I will never know. Can’t even use this room as a makeshift “Rumpelkammer” thanks to all of those large windows on both sides and the long stretch of open roof that follows along the path to the actual throne.

Too exposed and too much wind in here to be an authentic “Rumpelkammer”. Not enough conditions for dust to settle in.

Palmyria actually began to mumble to herself after a while. “Farries, Farries, Farries. I could have sworn that I heard that name before.” The little ‘ling mumbled while rubbing the base of her chin.

Liu, on the other hand, just stood there next to me, having long since gotten up on all fours and mumbling to herself as well. Through a lot quieter and alot less… Farries related, if her mumbling of a flank was anything to go by.

Well, good for her, that flank of hers needs some flattening out anyway. It’s too round and too… muscular to be allowed in front elders and minors alike. Especially around the guard. Can’t have them getting distracted by contorting mare cheeks now, can we? They should stay vigilant and guard ME, not just be looking at softcore porn.

Anyway, back to reality, and not a moment too soon as I quickly spotted a pair of horseys cantering down towards me from the entrance. What did surprise me though was the fact that both Nami and Najero were a part of their group as well. Always wondered where these two run off whenever I am not around too… but then again, I probably don’t want to, given their… questionable relationship.

‘True sibling love’ is what they say. Well, I shall be the judge on that one, especially thanks to all of the hentai I got exposed to thanks to my cousin.

Bakuss, as expected, immediately bowed after reaching the foot of the throne. Not so much with the siblings though. They just swiftly took to the sides, rather awkwardly, if I may add. But then again, I would say that them not bowing is a good thing. Don’t want to risk blinding some of our new guests with Nami’s full moon now, do we?

Farries, on the other hand, was rather still, but so was Palmyria when those two first made eye contact with one another, the former actually starting to look at him with great suspicious and caution.
But I let it slide. I, of course, have other fish to fry here, just so that I can finally get out of this bloody hall and get back into my bloody chambers. Penelope over here even fell asleep at some point.

With that thought, I clapped my hands in earnest to allow Bakuss to rise and say his piece.
I bet that his exploits weren’t as exciting as mine, but hey, one can still hope.

“Your highness. I have just heard of your… unfortunate accident back at the Bazaar today. I hope that you aren’t too bruised from this event. It would have been truly tragic if the new king would have gone out this way… not to mention so soon.” Bakuss announced while looking up at me with his emerald green eyes.

Quite unique looking, I have to say.

Either way, I just scoffed at his concerns and laughed. “Hah, and to think that you lot are going to get rid of me that quickly? Perish the thought, but yes, yes, I am doing pretty well. Besides some minor rear and back pain I am all dandy. In fact, those EVIL changeling guards that were about to stick the poor little princess over there before I oh-so-unpredictably arrived on top of them were quite the living fall dampeners when I crashed onto them. Taking them out AND saving myself a pretty little princess to boot. All done in a day’s work. Quite the adventure, if I have to say so myself.” I casually responded, gloating a bit at the totally planned and purposely achieved achievement here.

“But enough lollygagging. What is it that you have brought me today, dear old Bakuss? Some good news about your little changeling hunting exploits? Or perhaps a confession that you and Farries over there have finally started to see one another eye to eye? Being a changeling, I am sure that he can fix his whole “Dick” situation faster than you can blink. Lucky you if that is the case.” I casually commented.

This had the desired effect of getting everyone’s attention in an instant, with both Bakuss and Farries having the most extreme reaction, of course. Both of their eyes wide with the changeling having a wide open mouth as well.

Najero and Nami just snickered which in turn earned them a quick glare from Bakuss which in turn caused them to immediately shut up.

Palmyria, on the other hand, just scratched her head thoughtfully. “Well, it IS possible for a changeling to morph its sex to match that of the one it’s trying to mimic. We are called changelings for a reason after all, and our main source of sustenance is love and other positive emotions, which go hoof in hoof with our abilities.” She unintentionally commented, which in turn really wasn’t doing the two main individuals of this conversation any significant favors.

It actually made the whole thing even more awkward for them, forcing Bakuss to aim his glare at the ignorant little princess instead. Farries on the other end was actually darting his eyes back and forth awkwardly, seeming to be rather clueless on how to react to this situation. Funny how featureless eyes can dart in the first place. Even more surprising is that I managed to make that connection by just looking at him.

Bakuss eventually groaned before rubbing his right eye in annoyance. “Well, for starters, no we are not in any ongoing relationship, simply because ONE: My door curtains do not blow that way, and TWO: Because I still don’t trust this ‘ling one bit. Second: Yes I did manage to confirm that more changeling are indeed living down in the city among us, masking themselves as ordinary citizens. Some of them even have basic jobs and families of their own. Quite… an interesting revelation, I have to say, especially when most would think that their kind would operate somewhat more maliciously given their abilities and natural diet. Not really expecting them to be living, or rather trying to live peacefully with normal

Zebras all around them.” He answered steadily, looking somewhat thoughtful in between his explanations.

This caused Palmyria to look somewhat sad though. “Well, that is actually one of the problems why most changelings throughout the history prefer to live underground or in the shadows. All thanks to the stigmatization of others that we are nothing but love-sucking, vampiric monsters that stalk in the darkness. For some hives out there it might be true, but then there are also some hives like ours that have strived for many generations to be more than just what nature made them to be, to be more open and approachable to other races. Trying to have a distinct culture of their own and to get in contact with the rest of the world in a more peaceful way, to be accepted and loved so that we don’t have to rely on our old ways to gain that love which helps us to survive. We didn’t chose to be the way that we are now, it was nature that made us this way and we can’t change that.” She spoke in a heartfelt tone that was true and dear in her voice.

She seemed to really believe in her race’s ability to be much more than what nature originally intended them to be, a type of ideology and goal that I can’t help but respect. Trying to go against your nature is never easy.

Unless you’re human. For us it’s like looking at something and going “Meh” before just walking off and doing something else instead. Yeah, we are the ultimate rule breakers, and if there might be something out there that hasn’t been broken before, we will then use all of our minds, wills and general desire to fuck ship up to break it anyway. Because that how we roll, with sunglasses and all.

But anyway, the entire hall was silent after the princess’s lengthy speech of her people. It was quite clear, or at least somewhat, that most of her subjects (or at least those sharing her ideology) are pretty much just normal individual trying to live normal lives like everyone else - just trying to get along while nurturing whatever culture and philosophy these changelings actually have. You know, like every civilization ever.

Only difference is that these are natural shape shifters, and some kind of vampiric love-suckers to boot. The latter being quite kinky for those with perverted minds, especially with her previous “sex change” comment she gave. But let’s not focus on that, rather, let’s just get back on the topic and see what we can get from here on out… or rather should.

Liu was the first to speak after the silence. “Well, this is certainly some grade-A philosophy there. At least I can tell with confidence now that your kind has at least my ears and my attention. If your accounts of your mother are true, then I would say that some form of a mutual cooperation would be in the best interest for both parties. That is…” She looked back up at me with questionable eyes.”… If the king fully agrees to my offer. I am just a sergeant, after all, nothing close to the captain and certainly far from any leading figure.” Liu responded, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly.

Most likely due to her realization that she spoke up like that even though she wasn’t that much of an important figure to begin with. She is just a step-up higher from a private after all, followed by recruits.

I just brushed it off as I personally see more value on individuals with clear and talented minds rather than ranks. ”Well yes, yes I do in fact.” I announced with my trademark grin. “This is obviously a problem that swiftly needs addressing one way or another. From what Plamyria has told me so far when she…” I gave her a deadpan stare which she quickly understood and responded with an awkward smile. ”…was busy preventing me and the rest from reaching the Palace any sooner, she actually took that time to answer all sorts of questions that I proposed to her while she didn’t get jack shit in return, because I didn’t know anything that she was questioning me about.” I continued on, a comment which forced her to give me a deadpan look instead.

Yes, as I said before, she was more or less pestering me with all sorts of questions regarding the Zebras’ culture, religion and overall history whenever she spotted something that her dainty little… or rather, HUGE blue eyes glued on.

As said before, I managed to dodge all of her questions and pretended to be an imbecile when it comes to history… which I am not but she obviously doesn’t know that… yet.
I am far too lazy to be playing 20 questions with her, not to mention wasting a lot of time while doing so.

Either way, at some point I started to wonder when she was finally going to start guessing that this one-sided exchange wasn’t going to bring her any favors, which in turn it finally did, just now, when I basically spelled it out for her.

“Well, too late to be salty now. You are now in MY Palace, little missy, and I know for a fact that you need my jugs.” I thought to myself with an idiotic grin before getting back on topic.

“Anyway, as far as I know from her, her mother is on a Titanic-crashing-course of crazy loco, loco insanity and it has been going worse every time she was seen leaving and entering the throne room, most likely going to her chambers or whatever places a crazy little queen likes to go. And people around here think I am crazy.” I announced while grinning to myself.

This caused Bakuss to perk up though. “So wait, that doesn’t mean she has always been like this?” He asked while looking at the princess.

She in turn just shook her head. ”Not, at least, in such a maniacal state as she is now. She even started to act on more emotional impulses, making drastic… and do I dare say stupid decisions that seem to harm more of her efforts rather than lifting them, things she would have never done when I was still a nymph. Sure, she has always been a lot more direct with her ways, but never to such impulsive levels. Something must be influencing her on a mental level, which should be impossible. A changeling queen’s mind is among the strongest ones you can find thanks to their natural affinity over the hive mind, which basically connects every living changeling around her, with her. Or rather, it used to.” She explained before looking down at the ground.

This caused Liu to think. “Well, that is certainly peculiar, if that is the case.” She commented.

Man, if I would have thought that today was going to be a day of nothing but sitting around and talking about stuff, I would have brought my copy of the Star Wars trilogy and watched that instead to balance out the monotony of me just sitting around and talking. Well, more like them doing most of the talking, which is pretty much the same as watching the trilogy. Only less… interesting.

You know what? Never mind. I should really focus more on the situation at hand than start dreaming about watching below-mediocre movies to replace chloroform.

Either way, I forced myself back into the game as Palmyria was talking about something again. Something related to some strange statue she remembered seeing as a nymph with glowing runes all over its bod….
Then it hit me. Don’t ask me how but it just clicked. Even someone with a chaotic mind like mine can experience some eureka moments. Actually most brilliant ideas did came from the unpredictable chaos of a mad man’s mind, but that is not the point.

What is the point though is the realization that just smashed through me. Something that just made sense the moment I thought about it.

I screamed while repeatedly smashing my armrests with my fist in a continuous motion. This, of course, got everyone’s attention immediately as they all looked up at me with wide eyes as a response of my sudden antics.

Penelope was still curled up, though. Again, zero fucks given from her.

“What the… your highness? What is wrong?” Liu asked as she basically took the brunt of my outburst by being the closest to me.

By ‘closest’ I mean still standing next to me on the damn throne.
Either way, I quickly stopped and looked at her. “The idol, it’s the freakin idol. Oh dear lord am I going to be drowning in cogs when this is all done.” I hastily responded with a mad grin, which in turn caused more questions than answers to everyone around me, judging by their looks.

Bakuss tilted his head. ”The idol? You mean the item that the Gazelles are looking for? What of it?” He asked, giving me a curious look.
I reached out, trying to grip Liu’s face once more, but I stopped midway, causing her to flinch and almost fall off the platform the throne was sitting on. Instead, I looked over at Bakuss with the same expression.

Too bad that my arms weren’t long enough to reach him, otherwise I would have cupped his cheeks instead for dramatic effect.

“The idol which she just mentioned. This glowing rune-etched to a statue. It has to be the idol that we are looking for, and it was right beneath us this entire time.” I exclaimed with audible excitement.

Everybody was still confused for a moment, especially the changelings as they had no clue as to what I was talking about.

But before anyone could perk up or respond, I pointed a finger at Liu, dramatically of course, before shouting ‘pwn, noob’ in my mind for no reason.

“Liu, go get the Gazelles. They need to hear this description to see if my hunch is right or not. Quick, the existence of my never-ending stream of cheese and coffee depends on it!” I ordered with a raised finger.

Liu, being the slow-minded mare that she can be when it comes to my random antics and thought process, just looked at me continuously with her slow-processing eyes.

She tried to respond. “But, are you sure that they…” She tried to babble before I swiftly stopped her by cupping her cheeks this time.

“Yes, yes yes yes yes yes yes. Go and get them.” I shook her a bit before letting go.

I continued to by shooting her off with my hands and just randomly pointing at something. She just nodded frantically before galloping off to hopefully do my bidding and getting those short-tailed, blackberry-nosed quadrupeds.

Bet they are still in their room, especially given the reason I had received as to why they are still here in the first place.

Returning without the idol… and also me would bring GREAT shame to their names. Japanese samurai style, or whatever.
With her gone, I simply continued to be all hyped while grinning to myself like a complete nut job, clapping my hands together in glee and sugar coating my chin.

“Oh yes, I am a GENIUS, a bloody genius for being the first to see this. The idol was here, all along, the big Gazelle bossy hossy was right all along… or at least in something. But instead of being up here, it is actually down there. Ooh, Alex, “Du pfiffiger kleines arschlock du”. My grandmother always told me that I was a very clever little boy… or was it really my distant cousin from a third degree that told me that? Ah, don’t remember and certainly don’t care.” I pep talked myself as I began hopping up and down on the throne, causing some of the pillows to spill out from the side and fall down the platform.

The entire party in front of me still standing below was, of course, looking up at me in utter loss, even more so for the changeling P and her not so P.

“Is… is he mostly like this?” I heard the princess ask, which just went completely over my head for obvious reasons.

But I still heard it, so at least one of my senses was paying attention.

I saw Bakuss shake his head from the corner of my eye. “Nope, he is ALWAYS like this, has been since he first arrived. But none of us can really deny that his antics have worked well thus far. At least being around him never gets boring… or predictable… for the better… or for the worse.” He answered as I continued my little self-employed victory dance on the throne.

Feeling smart feels great, doesn’t it? Well, only until someone debunks your idea, or someone else come up with an even better one. If that ever happened then I might actually cry right in front of everyone.
Manly tears of disappointment of course, with sunglasses and some rock music in the background.
Shit, should have told Liu to bring my cell phone back from my room as well.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Liuanda quickly rushed to the west wing of the Palace that housed most of the guest rooms and private chambers here, ignoring some curious stares aimed at her from both servants and the occasional guard who most likely just started their jobs a couple of days back.

How Zebras like that are even allowed to join the Palace guard she will never know. These guards should always stay vigilant and never get themselves distracted by anything. But what does she know, she is just a sergeant after all, with most of the decision-making being handled by those above her.

All of that is irrelevant though, as she just made her way to the two sisters as fast as possible. Why? Well, let’s say the eyes of a madman are a great motivation to do what has to be done.

Who knew that the stare of a man who has seen it all can be so intimidating and… moving? In fact, how is the king even able to show such a look that is normally reserved for those with years of experience? He doesn’t look that old to begin with, but then again Liuanda doesn’t know how old his species can actually get in the first place.

With those thought out of her mind, the young mare continued her gallop through the vast, confusing halls of the Palace.

She soon spotted a pair of guards standing in front a door, which meant she finally reached her destination.

The reasons for the guards’ presence had nothing to really do with keeping an eye on the aforementioned prisoners, but rather to just act as security to any guests that are currently finding residence within the compound. The two sisters could actually go and come as they pleased, though for some reason they didn’t, mostly revolving around the fact that their totem is missing or whatever.

Liuanda greeted the guards as she passed by them. The two stallions swiftly returned the gesture as Liuanda took her position in front of the door and proceeded to knock on it.

There was a moment of silence before a set of hooves could be heard coming closer towards the door. The door slowly opened, revealing a somewhat drowsy looking Steppes behind it.

She rubbed her green colored eyes before addressing the sergeant properly. “What… what is it? Did we somehow do something again while we were trying to sleep, or did I miss something?” The young doe began, giving off a little yawn afterwards.

Liuanda raised an eyebrow at that. “Why in the gods’ names are you so out today? It's in the middle of the afternoon, so why do you seem so tired? All you two do is sit in your room for most of the day.” The young sergeant questioned, giving the doe in front of her an intense look.

Little Steppes just blinked a couple of times before answering. “Well…” She began with a few more blinks to get her eyes re-adjusted.” Me and my sister had a little… well, mishap with your kind’s so-called “toilets”. At first, everything seemed to be ok until my sister suddenly decided to see where and how all of the waste disappears after pouring a bucket of water over it. One thing lead to another, and she even went so far as to use her magic to get her answers…. Well…” She paused again with an awkward glance to the side. “Well, turns out that her long absence of magic caused her to be a tad bit rusty when in comes to casting spells… which, in turn… well… turned into something that was a bit too much.” She continued before offering the now suspicious guard a sheepish smile, before saying. ”She kinda blew half of it apart while also being busy for the whole day trying to clean it up… well… mostly hiding it, to be honest.” She finally admitted.

Liu just frowned, though not for the reasons that Little Steppes was probably thinking about. “Well, for starters, how in heaven's name IS your sister even capable in casting spells in the first place? Isn’t the nethicite that I gave one of the guards supposed to neutralize that? Like how it's supposed to?” The mare asked, feeling and sounding quite agitated with this fact.

Little Steppes, on the other hand, just looked at the mare confused. “Huh? But I thought that the king himself as said that the present of your friend is no longer needed here. He gave the stallion an “Early year vacation” as he called it before sending him off.” She answered, which in turn caused Liu to frown.

“Of course the king did.” Liu quietly muttered.

“Well anyway, go get your sister off her blankets and get a move on. The king himself has requested your presence.

Something related to your Idol by the sounds of it…” She tried to explain before a set of galloping hooves swiftly stopped her.
Liu flinched at the same time as Little Steppes in front of her as the rather excited face of Mystic suddenly appeared behind her.

“Did I hear the Idol? Does it mean that your king ACTUALLY knows where the idol finally is? That is great! About time, really, as this quiet and doing-nothing lifestyle I have here is rather… tedious and boring. A Gazelle like me belongs out into the steppes, in not in some… overly-luxurious Palace.” Mystic Gem announced loudly which in turn caused her sister to cringe.

But before Liu could even say anything, the super-hyped doe did it for her… or rather moved past her while ushering her sister to come along.

“Well, hurry up there, sis! Time's a-wastin’, the sooner we can get the Idol back, the faster we are out of here and back to the great Savannah steppes to the south. I can’t wait to see our tribe again after THIS debacle.” She shouted.

Liuanda just groaned before shaking her head.” What in the gods’ names am I even doing sometimes? No matter if the king himself is present or not, complete ridiculousness and chaos just seemed to exist on every corner you look. Why… the hell I would know?” She again muttered.

She was right, now with the king being… well the king, his presence no longer was required for the world to just go haywire at whatever area of the world he just happened to be in.

Maybe the saying that he could be Sheogorath in a mortal form might actually have some merits here. But then again, only time will tell.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

“They don’t know, they will never know. They will never understand, and they will never accept… for that, they shall all pay.” A menacing voice chanted.

A set of rapidly moving hooves could be heard echoing through the darkly-lit halls. No other soul was present within these paths besides one, a large and long shadow being cast onto the ground by the same being.

The being in question looked ragged, crazy maniacal eyes of green were gazing through the darkness that this hall bestowed. Being the only true source of light as it continued forwards.

The being continued to mutter to itself, mostly in rage, anger, and a tiny hint to confusion as well. Eventually, the long hall stopped as it stood in front rather large double doors with two fully-clad guards standing in front of it, their jet-black armor blending well with the already existing darkness around them. Only the shimmering blue eyes peeking out of the faceguard being the only source of color on them.

The being just glared at those two, its eyes shining green which in turn forced the guards in front of it to open the doors and step away, allowing the being to go through. The portal immediately closed afterwards, forcing this being to be alone once more in a space void of anyone but itself.
It laughed to itself after a faint glow on the other end of the room greeted it. Its horn lighting up, causing whatever light source on the other end to go brighter as well. It approached this object, the runes on it getting slightly brighter as it got closer and closer to it.

The being frowned at the thing within its reach, its horn lighting up even more as the runes on the object did the same. A pair of glowing eyes emerged on the object, glowing in a brilliant blue light as the rest of the runes surrounding it.

Whispers started to emerged from its form, angry and demanding whispers that the being ignored. Its frown turning into a snarl of rage as a stream of pure magical energy suddenly emerged between those two. Starting from the object’s large gem above its eyes and leading towards the jagged horn of the being.

The being suddenly laughed, trying to drain out the whispers in her head.

“Yes, that is it, feed me with the rest of your magical essence. I will need all of it in order to finally rid myself of all of my problems. Lies have spread among my kind and traitors housed by demons are running amok among me. I will smite them all, and I will take them all. The power, the magic, the….” It cringed a bit. “ voices… they will be quelled and they will submit as well. All will submit. All will obey, all will be mine… or die, die, die, DIE.” She chanted, repeating the same phrase over and over again.

The whispers in her mind grew stronger and stronger the more she drew, forcing her to laugh and chant louder in order to drown them out.

The laughter stopped and the room swiftly return to its unnatural darkness.