The beast wades through hock-deep snow, each powerful limb tingling with the icy sensation pressing against it. His lips are twisted into a determined grimace as he fights against the heavy frozen liquid sucking his massive hooves back into its midst, straining every thick muscle and pulsing sinew as he dominates the snow beneath him. He will not let it win. Deep snow is an ideal training resource and the giant colt uses it wisely, testing the limits of his strength by wading through the deepest he can find. Every iota of his power is forced into trotting through it, ears slicked back and frozen sweat beading liberally across his black body.

Finally, the snow ends. He breaks from it and feels like he's walking on air, his legs suddenly light and easily moveable. He finds himself on the beach, where the sand keeps away the snowfall and the sea air prevents any frost settling; the winter wind churns the waves and crashes them down, hard, against the shore. The thunder rings in the colt's ears as he strides forth, white turning to brown as snow turns to sand.

High above, his dragon bellows his delight. Volterra's massive head tilts upwards at the scarlet speck in the heavens, their mental bond sizzling with the force of the blood-dragon's pleasure. The sea is a vast playground for him, and he folds his wings and dives from hundreds of feet above the surface, crashing down into the waves with an almighty splash. Pushing tendrils of thought deeper into his bonded's mind, Volterra feels the icy caress of the freezing water against his scales, sees startled fish darting away from his powerful clawed paws as his tail propels him through the tide. The marvels of their bond never cease, and a throaty rumble shakes the colt's jaws as he chortles to himself and drags his consciousness back into his own head.

Finally Vérzés breaks through the last wave and emerges on the beach, his ruby scales gleaming with moisture and his proud, vicious horned head tilted towards the weak morning sunlight. He shakes himself like a cat then bounds towards the black monolith, nostrils glowing blue as he coughs out a blast of icy air. In recent weeks Volterra has noticed his dragon show signs of breathing something - he assumes it will be fire, but for some reason only a cold blast seems to leave the red's jaws rather than the burning torrent he expects. He is mildly concerned, but is fairly certain the fire will come soon enough.

With a grunt, the giant goes towards his dragon and they touch noses, Volterra's front hooves touching the frigid waves as his heaving sides slow and he allows himself to relax, the icy sea breeze tickling his taut skin.