Ahcehera sat in her quarters on Planet Talven-9, the flickering glow of the stasis lanterns casting elongated shadows across the cold steel walls.
The room was silent except for the faint hum of her optical brain processing incoming battle reports.
But her eyes were fixed on the small, carefully wrapped package on her desk. The seal had already been broken, whoever sent it had not bothered with secrecy.
With steady fingers, she unwrapped the layers of protective fabric, revealing the necklace within.
The moment she touched it, a wave of heat pulsed through her palm, like the slow breath of a slumbering beast.
The deep crimson gemstone glowed in the dim light, its surface smooth as liquid fire, yet holding an unmistakable sense of restrained power.
It was the heart of a dragon, an artifact of immeasurable force, one that whispered of control and dominion.
