There is a realm that exists beyond human comprehension.  A realm exists under the dirt and rocks of the surface world.  A realm dark and hot, dotted with pools of magma, stalagmites that stretch for miles, and seemingly endless fields of ash.  A realm that inspires the earthquakes that tears the ground apart beneath ones feet and volcanoes that rain hellfire down from their skies.  

At the center of this realm was a fortress, a massive castle of writhing, twisted iron and blackened stone.  The building was a behemoth, with metal-clad guards at every arched entryway and high walls and vaulted ceilings inlaid with red glass.  At the center of this castle was a creature, reminiscent of a human female, starkly white against the dark stone and metal.  She was reclined on a chaise of red satin, watching out from a balcony over the smoky, dimly red landscape.

Steps of a single being echoed on the stones behind her.  Not until they approached her did she sit up for her visitor.  A short, male-esque figure bowed to her, speaking from a dark, cracked face.

"My empress."

"Do you have something to tell me?"

The visitor looked out the same balcony his mistress was looking.  "My empress, we are nearing the end of our calendar's cycle."

"Oh, is it that time of the millennia already?"

"You remember what that means."

"Of course I remember what that means."  She stood from her chaise, strutting towards the balcony.  "Some creature from the surface will soon discover the true extent of some pure light crap that resides in them."

He nodded.  "So you have been thinking about it."

She glared around the landscape before her, frowning intently.  "Subjects have been caught digging at the walls, trying to escape.  That's unacceptable.  But that surface creature's power might get rid of all that.  Perhaps that power could fortify my walls.  No one leaves my realm without my permission.  I'd hate to think that I'm getting lazy with that message."  She turned towards her henchman.  "I'll have to begin hunting this creature down, very soon."