Greetings, my name is Soul and my kingdom is earth, the earth of the living things. I frequent places of light and life. My palace is the trees, my throne are the flowers. 

My sister and I are different, yet we rule closely. Her throne are shadows and her crown is made of cypress. Her name is Demise. 

We rule together, side by side. Often her crown is spoken of in the same breath as sorrow and pain, but she is not so. She is peaceful, restful, quiet and kind. My crown is spoken of in the same breath as joy in wealth, but that too can be an illusion. Often my kingdom is restless, angry and selfish. 

Beyond our kingdoms lies Carnage. He seeps into our realms without being seen. He dictates wars, he slaughters the innocent and disrupts the flow of nature. 

War has been declared in both of our kingdoms. Carnage has come again, and again death and life must come together and ward him away. His minions are Displeasure, Greed, Hate, Rage and Pain. 

Many of my valiant soldiers I had to give to my sister. Demise had to send hers Beyond, to start again. Each soldier was mourned, each was laid to rest with a proper burial. 

My kingdom began to dwindle. Some came to my sister themselves. Some were sent by Carnage. Unrest filled both kingdoms, dead and living. 

Carnage crept into my throne room. There I sat, trying to calm shuddering soldiers. The Fear Carnage brought with him had filled my fighters. He laughed, long, loud and hoarse. 

"You are no Princess," he whispered to me, "how can you be a Princess if there are only corpses to rule. No one rules them."

A voice behind me sent Carnage stumbling back.

"She doesn't, but I do." My sister had stepped out of a shadow, and she came toward me. "You foolish Monster," she said,  "the Dead and the Living are not separate, but we are One."

He tried to run. Joining hands, we sent a burst of dark light toward him. Together we willed him to go on, go to the Beyond. 

He bellowed, but it was too late. He was gone. 

"My work here is done," my sister breathed and disappeared in a wisp. I eased myself back onto the throne. Rays of light streamed through the trees. All was quiet. 

All was as it should be.