She stood before the room's entrance, the black mass of space beyond unusually intimidating. She had only found what she was looking for by chance; that is to say: while stumbling blindly, she ran into it.

The white ball of light had followed her everywhere within the lair, except when she would wander in this direction. So, naturally, she went where the light would not go.

But now, she wasn't too sure she should have.

Cursing quietly, Adesse rubbed her forehead and rummaged around in her pockets for something of use. The fingers of her left hand brushed a familiar shape, and huffing in annoyance, Adesse plunged her hand in deeper. Fishing the gemstone necklace out and putting it on, she brought it to her lips and whispered an incantation. Light bloomed in its center and spread quickly as Adesse held it aloft.

She gasped and stepped back in shock.

The "wall" that she had run into was actually part of a large ornate arch that extended past the light and up into the darkness of the high ceiling. The stone carvings, lased with precious metals, depicted Dov of all shapes and sizes engaged in various activities. Some seemed to be flying, others, sunbathing. But the most common theme was of Dov battling.

Their bodies twisting in the air, claws outstretched and jaws extended as they dueled. Adesse stood in awe, stunned by their terrifying beauty.

The Dovah within her stirred and she could almost feel the wind on her scales, the fire in her blood, and the sweet taste of victory on her tongue. If only she would just open her mouth and…

No.

Adesse tore her gaze from the scene before her.

The Dovah within screeched in fury, clawing at her insides, demanding the taste of blood, of battle, and the feeling of triumph that came with it.

She crouched, shaking, as her arms encircled her legs tightly.

It hissed and cursed, speaking words she didn't understand and asking for things she wouldn't, couldn't, give.

Adesse moaned, gritting her teeth as she waited for the power throbbing within to fade. The Dovah snarled weakly one last time before curling up to rest, dormant, but not asleep.

Why it would wake now, for some carvings, when it had the real thing in front of it just hours ago, was entirely beyond Adesse's mental capacity at the moment.

She stood, bracing herself against a nearby wall for support.

Dealing with the Dovah within her was just as difficult, if not harder, than fighting the real thing. It had taken her weeks to put it to sleep, and then weeks to make sure it stayed asleep.

She laughed bitterly, wincing as she did so.

She knew it was too good to be true. The thing inside her never truly slept and she was a fool to forget that.

Adesse weakly tested her balance before pushing herself upright and away from the wall. Encouraged when she didn't fall, she took another step.

Her right leg buckled and she fell painfully, knees impacting sharply with the ground.

She whimpered and slowly curled into herself.

Exhausted and lacking the ability to move and think properly, Adesse fell asleep on the filthy floor by the entrance to the Dragon's chambers.