Nero was pleasantly surprised to find himself waking up in the dreamscape Dominico had created for them. He looked around to survey any damage that Dominico's nightmare had created. Finding none he set out to find his son.
"Dominico? Where are you?" Nero called, walking around the dreamscape. He listened carefully for his son's laughter.
"Over here, Mama," Dominico called from the clearing in the woods. Nero headed in the direction of his son's voice, but he had the feeling of being watched. He stopped and looked back over his shoulder, scanning the field to see if there was anything there.
He didn't see anything, but he remained on high alert. He turned once again and headed in the direction of the clearing.
A lone figure watched Nero from the highest branches of a large tree along the forest's edge, "So that is Dominico's mama. Dominico is so lucky," Saitharius thought, looking down at Nero. He watched as Nero walked in the direction of the clearing, but ducked out of sight, when Nero suddenly turned and looked back in his direction. He waited until Nero turned and headed into the clearing before he took flight and landed in a tree close to the cottage. He was curious how Nero was going to react when seeing it.
Nero walked into the clearing and was greeted by a wonderful sight. Dominico was stood in front of a small, quaint little house, waving enthusiastically. Nero walked up and hugged his son.
"What is this?" Nero asked, looking at the cottage.
"It's a surprise!" Dominico said, returning Nero's hug. "I felt bad because I kept you away so long so I made this for you."
Nero looked down at his son. "Oh, Dominico, you didn't have to do that. Thank-you sweetheart."
"You like it, mama?" Dominico asked, taking Nero's hand and leading him up to the front door.
"Yes, I do, but I want to see what it's like inside," Nero said, following Dominico inside.
Saitharius watched from the nearby tree as Nero and Dominico went inside the house.
"I guess they will be out soon. Dominico hasn't had his mama here for a while. That's why he hasn't called for me yet...I hope," He thought to himself, but he couldn't help feeling a little discouraged. He was beginning to feel forgotten, but he tried to put the thoughts out of his head.
"They will be out soon and I will go play with them then." Saitharius decided and settled down to wait for his friend and his friend's mama to exit their cottage.
Nero was very impressed by what his son had accomplished with the little house. He had obviously put a lot of thought and concideration into the design and creation of the cottage. It was perfect.
"I really love this, Dominico. It's quiet and cozy. A perfect spot for us to read stories and play games, or even do some art projects together," Nero said, pulling his son into a warm hug.
"I'm so glad you like it, mama. I was hoping you would like it," Dominico said, returning Nero's hug. Dominico spent the next 20 minutes or so showing Nero around the cottage. He showed him all the small details he had put into it for Nero's pleasure. He had even placed copies of their favorite books in a small library, at the end of a short hallway.
"You really have thought of everything, haven't you?" Nero said, praising his son.
Suddenly Dominico jumped up, "I forgot to show you one more thing, Mama," he said, grabbing Nero's hand and leading him towards the door.
"Where are we going now?" Nero asked, amused by his son's antics.
"Come on. It's outside," Dominico said, dragging Nero out the door.
Saitharius sat up when he heard the front door of the house open. "Finally," he thought. "I thought they were going to be in there all night." He watched as Nero closed the door behind them and walked up behind Dominico. They were talking quietly amongst themselves. "Should I go down there?" he thought. "Or should I wait." He noticed Dominico looking up towards him and took that as his queue to make an appearance.
Nero noticed Dominico looking towards the treetops intently. He followed Dominico's gaze and saw the one thing he hoped never to see again in his entire life. It looked like Dmitry reborn.
He grabbed Dominico and pulled him behind him just as the winged creature came to land a few feet in front of them.
"What the hell do you want!" Nero shouted at the being. "Get the hell away from my son!"
"Mama, wait," Dominico said quietly, but Nero hadn't heard him. He was in protection mode now.
The creature raised his hands in front of him a took a step closer. Nero pushed Dominico back as he took a step back himself. "I told you to get out of here!" Nero said angrily.
"But, mama..." Dominico tried again, but Nero still didn't hear him.
"Get out of here, you monster! Leave us alone!" Nero yelled again.
The creature dropped his hands to his side and bowed his head. He looked up at Dominico and shook his head stepping back. He spread his wings, taking flight as fast as he could.
Dominico ran out from behind Nero's back. "Saitharius come back!"
But it was too late, he was gone.