Something Seems Different

The lands of the Dark World seemed to be at a low silence. The sounds of wind and storm casting over the darkened purple sky, providing a sort of calm ambiance. Upon the tallest mountain within this word, a being stood overlooking the dark lands below from a castle balcony. This figure was one as dark as a shadow. It had no detail appearance. It's appearance was shaped like a Alicorn sized dragon, though no mouth or eyes were seen on the figure in dark. Only physical features the resembled a dragon face cast into darkness.  "Ah, so this is where you were. I should've expected you to be here. Had I considered it first, I would've arrived sooner." A voice would speak towards the dragon figure. The voice belonged to a male griffon. One with white feathers, wearing blue robes. Despite his appearance, one thing that stood out was his wings. Damaged, crippled, and beyond normal healings. "So? I assume King Artemis has left once more to the world of the living? Away from this lavish Arcane Land of Limbo?" "Flightless Silas. Good to see you." The figure spoke, having a voice that echoed almost like a fragile female. "Yes, King Artemis has departed back to his home Kingdom. A pity he was only here for a month. It was nice having a powerful being of Arcane around. Especially when he had five others with him."  "Five others with him, Arcana? Not the Queen or the Princess?" "Not this time. I'd reason the Queen was watching over his Kingdom while he was here training the five other visitors. The five that were with him, he referred to as Lunars. A name for his named guards and soldiers. Actually, I must correct myself. Only four were training. The fifth seemed to already have Arcane understanding. Power courses in her veins, very similar to Artemis. Also....she had an odd lantern at her hip at all times. Was never seen without it." "Sounds like quite the guests. Hopefully the training went well. I'm unsure of what issues or challenges The King faces in the living world. But to bring five of his guards here to train? It must be serious or urgent." "Perhaps. I'm unsure of how the King thinks. I'm not sure anyone can ever know what he's thinking or what he plans. Or if he's even thinking at all." "I still can't believe you allowed Arcane from this world to seep into their world. As well as build Arcane towers in major cities? Almost like Watchtowers it seems. What is with that?" "I only did what was ordered of me. No more, no less. The King and Queen made the order? I followed through to the letter." "What of Somber?" "That Mad Tyrant still inhabits King Artemis' mind. He seemed quiet, or docile to say the least. He normally lashes out at me through a projection of magic. However, through the whole month of Artemis being here? Somber stayed silent. Quiet. Too Quiet for my liking." ".....How long do you think the King has before he begins to notice Somber's influence?" "...Two months tops. Perhaps sooner. The King is strong willed. He clearly has a tight leash on Somber's influence over him. But...the barrier's in his mind are cracking each day. Very soon? Somber is going to break through. And once fully in the mind? King Artemis is going to start changing. Changing until....He isn't Artemis anymore." "Have you warned the Queen?" "It'd be pointless. One can't hope to stop the inevitable."

"So then the living world will be doomed. Somber will fully take over Artemis, having Artemis as nothing more then a husk. A puppet to his will. gods and deities above. I don't envy them..." "Not all things seem so sad, Silas. There is still an Alternative."

"Alternative? Such as what?" "Simple? Fighting for control over a body is a two way street. Just because somber breaks through Artemis' mental barrier doesn't mean victory. If anything, Artemis has the chance to influence Somber, just as much as Somber wants to influence them. How that happens and who is victorious depends on one major thing."

"And that would be what, Arcana?" "Who wants Power more."