A cold wind crept though the lands as night had fallen over the once great kingdom of Diardah, the gleam of the moon being sucked into the bitter darkness that filled every corner of the territory. Where was once a proud city, populated by many buildings and people, now was but ruins and no life to speak of. Not a single building was left to show signs of past life, save for one intimidating tower that stood at the center of the land. It's ebony walls covered in black moss that writhed around sickeningly. The entire tower seemed to be closed off, no doors or windows to speak of. The inside of the tower was covered in a thick fog of impenetrable darkness and not a single noise was to be heard throughout its entire structure. Not a single soul had made its presence known, except for one.<br/><br/>At the top of the tower stood a dark and looming figure that was staring out at the wasteland that surrounded him. Unmoving, he watched intently as if the darkness and ruin of the land was speaking to him. Shadows could barely be seen dancing about his dark rotten body as they rose up from the floor. Not moving so much as a finger, he summons a creature forged from dark magic behind him, "Hear me well, as I will not repeat what I am about to say," he spoke sternly to the monster, who had made sure to be paying attention. "The time to begin my conquest is almost at hand. I still need more souls if I am to be able to take on the seats of power that are held within the other kingdoms. For now, I want to make a pact with the kingdom of Eirwen. Though they had worked against me in the past, I am willing to overlook that and form a temporary bond with them and request that the queen meet with me in my kingdom. I will ensure no harm comes to her as she makes her way through the darkness. You will go to the lands of ice and snow and relay that message to the queen and if you cannot make it there because of some limitation, you will give the message to someone who can. If you must sacrifice yourself to make this happen, you will do so."<br/><br/>"At once, my lord," the creature obediently agreeing to his master's commands. He melted through the floor and proceeded away from the tower.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">It would be wise of you to accept my offer</span>, queen he thought to himself as he melted through the floor in the same fashion the minion had done, arriving at his chambers to sit upon his throne made from the bones of the once brave Argus warriors that had sacked his kingdom. Next to the throne was a small table with a drawer. He opened a drawer to pull out a mirror. Looking into it he could see the image of the ice queen displayed upon its glass, "You will succumb to my will, one way or another."