Discovering Dhurga

Chapter 2

I woke to the most amazing smell I had ever known, I wanted to keep my eyes closed so I could enjoy it longer. Then my stomach would wait no longer and I opened my eyes. I was in a very soft bed, it seemed to be a sponge or plant of some kind for the mattress and the blanket seemed to be a giant fuzzy leaf. This dream is just crazy. Really, I didn't know I had that much imagination.

You are not dreaming, small one. This is all real. Your home now.

It was that voice in my head again, the same voice I heard when I discovered the dragon. But, I had no time to try to figure that out, that smell had made my stomach growling in protest for being empty. Slowly, I looked around to really study my strange surroundings. There were fantastic flowers I carefully stretched out to smell one, to see if that was the delicious aroma I could smell when I woke. Nope. It did smell wonderful, but not something-to-eat wonderful. I seemed to be in a sleeping room of some kind. The light was soft and seemed to sort of glow from the floor, walls and ceiling. The entire room seemed to be constructed of plants and vines. It was breathtakingly beautiful. As I moved around the room, there were small openings in the wall, almost like shelves, of a sort. Each contained different things one might see in a bedroom. A brush and comb that seemed to be made of wood, various bottles of some liquids, and some clothing.

Those things are all yours, small one. I made them for you. I was not sure what you would require, but I thought of a few things for your care.

At this point, I got up enough courage to move through the door and face the dragon.

My name is Khoth. What may I call you, small one?

“My name is Kat, well, Katlin, but you can call me Kat.” I said aloud.

So pleased to finally meet you. I am glad you have shown your brave core. Have you decided to accept Dhurga as your home and bond with me to find your purpose and fulfillment?

“What are you talking about!?” I was raising my voice at this point. Wait, did he call me brave? That is new for someone that has been hiding in a bunker for most of their life. I caught a wiff of that scrumptious smell again. “What is that smell?” Khoth slowly got to his feet from his lounging position and went towards another door, he turned his head back towards me and with a gigantic taloned paw, motioned for me to follow. I was anxious to trust this formidable creature that I’m sure could eat me as an appetizer to whatever that wonderful smell was, but, since I was now brave, and my stomach seemed to have a will of its own, I followed. I mean, if he had wanted me for a snack, he could have done that during any of the times I had blacked out.

We entered a very large room that seemed to be a kitchen, but it was all so strange. I tried to look around, but my stomach was growling so loud all I could think of was whatever food smelled so enticing. Khoth gestured to sit at a small table as he brought over a steaming pot of.. Stew?

The pot was big enough to fit my whole body in, and at 17 cycles, I wasn’t a kid anymore. His scoop was made to fit his paw and somehow, he poured me a bowl of what looked like vegetables and meat in a sort of gravy. There were even biscuits on the table to sop up every last drop. I took a sip after blowing the steam away. And I thought that the dream had to not be a dream. There was no way I could imagine something that tasted so good. I didn’t look up again til the bowl was empty. As I was l*****g the bowl and using the soft flaky biscuits to get every drop, I looked over the edge of the bowl to see Khoth sipping right from the pot, that looked like a tea cup in his paws, and smiling at me. I guess it was a smile, it was mostly barred sharp teeth. It should have been frightening, but I just felt so… good.

With my stomach satisfied, I could take a look around. I decided that maybe this was real after all. I mean, who am I to say what is or is not possible in all the cosmos. So, making a decision to accept all this as real, I may as well make the best of it. I wonder if my family was here? I asked Khoth.

There are many others from your world that were transported because the Protek believed they valued and revered life. You are the first who has awakened. You are strong Kat, small one. You have something inside that made it possible for you to be chosen to flourish here on Dhurga. We will discover it together, if you will accept the possibilities.

“I accept” I responded with conviction. After all, it was far far better in every way from what remained of Earth before I left.

Then let’s begin tomorrow. Today, enjoy your full belly and the peace of my home as my friend and honored bond.