[The Panther]

Sir Deviant, Arch Mage, Abysian Minister of War and his wife, Madam Candice, Great Enchantress, Abysian Minister of State were waiting outside the sacred Chamber of Hell.

“My love, how long has She been in there?”
“Too long.”
“Then there must be a problem.”
“Yes, I imagine so.”

The iron door into the sacred chamber opened suddenly and She emerged. Her two ministers bowed before their Queen. Both husband and wife spoke simultaneously, “Your Eminence!”

The Queen of the Underground looked down on her two most loyal subjects and spoke. “Sir Deviant. Madam Candice. Good of you to wait. But he is not coming.”
“No! Please, my Queen, surely you could convince Him.”
”Oh, he wanted to, I will tell you that. But my beloved husband cannot set foot above ground here. There is some kind of Zen-Buddhist influence which will not allow him to appear at his present strength. He has said he will not be forced to give up some of his power and weakened thusly. Panther, King of Ghosts, will therefore stay in the Land of Inland ruling over our conquered enemies.”

“So, my Queen, will you lead us here then?”
“No, my dear loyal friends. My duty is by the side of my husband. One of you must take over here.”
“But, my Queen! Who would follow a mere human? We are so weak.”
“Yes, this is true. But this same Zen influence will make you stronger when you go to the surface in the Land of Cradle. Both of you will find that you will be spending less of your hard-earned pretender influence when creating your capitol. You also will both be able to resist extra attacks with much less encumbrance. Additionally, you, Sir Deviant, as a mounted Arch Mage, will find people more ready to follow you than ever before through increased dominion. And you, Madam Candice, as a mind-controlling Great Enchantress, will be ethereal and thus far more able to resist mere steel weapons. Either of you could choose to lead here.”

“What witchery causes this?”
“Yes, it is witchery, but Truth. Zen hath spoken, it would appear. Although…”
“Although what, my Queen?”
“Although, I could claim this land and add it to my husband’s ghostly empire. I wonder if he would mind if I stayed a while.”
“Do it, my Queen, do it! Spread the fires of Hell and suck the blood from this land. You can show all the other false gods the Truth of our immense power!”
“Maybe. I will have to think on it. And go consult my ghostly husband once again. But if I chose not to stay, one of you will have to rule here.”
"Yes, my Queen. We hear and obey."