The door swung open. I watched my ethereal companion drift slowly through the opening with narrowed eyes; no space in this dungeon had embraced me without opposition. As the light from the cavernous room danced in my eyes I felt the familiar flames and their accompanying warmth spring instinctively into my right hand. An arrow whizzed by my cloak and I felt my left fist spring out automatically, spewing white lightning in a crackling ark in front of me. I lept savagely through the causeway, sprouting an inferno of concentrated element from my outstretched fingers, towards the wall of Draugrs lurking within. Smoke and dust obscured my vision, a faint sizzling filled my nostrils and one by one, the sound of dull thuds reverberated throughout the quieting space.
I staggered, catching my breath, trying to take in the scene through the faint green light emanating from the floor itself. Ashes and bodies littered the floor, leading in a trail through the haze to the glowing, white figure standing at the foot of a staircase — my companion stared at me with a faint smile on his face. This first modicum of expression had an instant effect on me; I felt my heart accelerate and the divine energy course faster through me; the sweat flowed freely beneath my mask — the wall, the word, here in this very room.
Despite the stationary stature of my companion, I bounded up the staircase, the tolls of the previous battle all but forgotten in my blind rush towards the wall. I could hear the word’s energy pounding against its stony barricade, waiting for my presence to give it release. I sprang onto the platform, sprinting full tilt towards the stone barricade in front in me, basking in the divine glow of the Dova…
And yet, iron collided with bone and the oxygen was knocked from my lungs, as a savage blow sent me flying back at twice the speed I had ascended. I looked up in time to see my assailant sailing through the air towards my exposed figure. I clenched my fist, attempting to summon what fire I had left in me, pouring the last of my strength into the blast. As I raised my hand, poised to release, my foe inches from my face, I saw my companion leap to my defense it in a manner far more severe than I thought his wispy body capable. I heard my attacker screech as my companion plunged his steel sword through its vulnerable flesh.
I rose to my feet. My companion turned to face me with that look of satisfaction etched on his otherworldly face. As I walked, this time patiently, towards the wall, I saw him disappear out of the corner of my eye. He would know peace at last.
The word burned scorchingly out of the wall, blending with my soul as I felt the glory of the Dragon envelop the entirety of my being. I knew its meaning at long last.