"Poor Winglet, the unlucky star had to shine when you were borne." Her glittering eyes watched the slumbering high warrior try to sleep. "If not your mixed blood then it is idiotic situations such as this trial."

The elder Virtou pulled up a fortified chair and placed on hand across his head. Even in his slumber and duress, he kept the spell up. "You're still straining yourself. It is action and not appearance that proves your worth to others." Her long talons tapped his forehead, she pushed past the concealing spell an saw the birthright scarlet hues and the elevated silver on his snout. "Might as well begin. I'll soothe your spirit then help you with your next task."

Her lifeforce radiated further, wrapping itself around Therony's body, the darkened aura wrapping him in a cocoon of her millenniums of years living. She pushed her own consciousness along the conjoined life energy. Gaia, an exotic creature of Fortuna, openly used the forces of good and evil. The Virtou Lord possessed candles instead of established lighting in his bedroom. With a stray thought, fire sparked to life in a chain around the room. The candlelight revealed her growing shadow, taking on a form not possible by the dragoness.

Therony found himself back at Tribulation Mountain' depths. His battle weary spirit again locked in combat.
"Winglet stop, stop, stop!" Gaia's stern voice broke the two Virtou warriors apart.
"I'm sorry master." He dropped to a knee, exhausted. "I just cannot…"

Hold that sentence winglet.
He heard his teacher speak anew but saw the dragoness not move her lips.  
Stand.

The dream acted just like a virtual movie locked in hold. He felt the foreboding presence at his back. Turning around he saw a second Gaia. However the elder Virtou's form was altered. Normally, he would be the taller of the two, but this Gaia loomed over him with ease. Her slitted eyes no longer gold but pitch black. Scales around her midsection replaced with sensual flesh. One of her wings drifted toward a bat like design then birthright draconic.

"Master?" He backed up cautiously.
That it is. I figured not to fool you. The giant monster lurched forward with unnatural feminine grace. Her clasped hands broke their embrace and revealed sword like nails for talons. Unless you wish me to do so for your sanity. Gaia inwardly shook her head. It was not the first time she invaded his dreams, but his soul was distant, so... vulnerable he could not recall the succubus at all. If not for the indomitable will of the priestess, grave danger would consume him whole. He turned and found they were alone, the other Gaia and warrior a distance memory.

Sit. Her proclamation sounding like the words of the Holy Dragon. Gaia sat down on the battle stage, taking up a good quarter of it. A pole like gold and black tail drifting along on the ground the ancient platform sat on.
Therony didn't know what to do, for him the dream hit a point where should the dreamer run away or face the possible danger. A facet that is no different for a Virtou Dragon Warrior than a common man.

It is alright. You can stand if you wish. Winglet, I took you in centuries ago and you were a royal brat.
The monster's chuckle was heavenly to his ears, the soft pull of wind chimes. Then again I am too. What Reis and Silentblade saw in this dragon, I found in you past that brat attitude. Smarts, courage... A heart. It is too easy for royals to forget that. They figure the laws and title puts them above the rest. Not you. What you went through as an Uncle these last few days is nothing short of devastating.

The warrior blinked, how could a dream know such things? Monster or not, it knew about him in general.
What you endured as one of the holy warriors is inexcusable. They only consider those titles. They forgotten what dangers lurk behind their veils. Reis is asking us, I am asking you Winglet for your help. Let go of the pain, your nephew is safe and you did no wrong. Gaia's hand reached out and enveloped Therony. But his eyes were deceived, the monster was gone and in her place was his wife. Meilian's soft arms wrapped themselves around his midsection. He felt her golden blond locks and head drape across the lower half of his chest. His arms instinctively embraced that of the winged Shadis woman. Everything, the tenseness, grief and pain flowed away in those few seconds together.

Gaia broke their connection. Her shadow receding back to the dimensions correctly casted by her frame and that of her position in the chair. Therony's once tossing and turning body, docile as a baby. "Sleep well winglet. We have much to do come daybreak. Ruling or not."