[the enlivening has some of its desired effect--he becomes less transparent, more solid like he was before, but no less dark and shadowy. there are similarities between the darkness surrounding him and the malevolence rolling off of the dragon in front of them, now that the comparison can be made, but his state doesn't come with any of the uneasiness that can be felt from the dragon before them.

Sorey doesn't notice the change; his eyes don't leave Mikleo.]

This shouldn't be able to happen. If we still have a pact, then...malevolence can't take over like this.