Chapter Four: Reawakening

As told by Kara Teaford

I awoke to a soft bed under me. My first sleep in months that hadn't been disturbed by the foul nightmares, I thought. Wait. Wasn't I in the park? Where am I now? My eyes snapped open and I set up. I was in a strange apartment, lying in a bed that wasn't mine. The room was decorated with numerous statuettes and figurines, as well as a few pieces that looked like they belonged in a museum. Most, if not all of the statuettes and figurines appeared to be of mythic beasts such as unicorns, griffins, and fairies; and dragons. The entire scene at the park came back to me in an instant and I almost passed out again.

"Good to see you're awake," a woman's voice came from the next room; the voice of the woman from the park. She stuck her head into the room and gave me a sad sort of smile. "I didn't know what to do after you passed out, so I brought you back to my apartment. Would you care for a brew?"

I nodded meekly and followed the woman to her small kitchen area where she poured two cups of tea. "Thank you," I said as I picked up the cup. I sipped on the tea for a moment before continuing, "For the brew as well for taking care of me after I passed out."

"Think nothing of it mate," she replied in a soft voice, "Besides I felt responsible for you passing out. I shouldn't have pushed the issue." For a few moments we both sat silently and sipped the tea. I took the time to look around a bit more. The rest of the apartment was decorated in much the same way as the bedroom. It had an almost cluttered appearance to it.

After several minutes I thought to say something then stopped. Does this still work? I sent her mentally as she had shown me in the park. The smile that graced her face told me she had heard me. I took a deep breath and sent her another message, What are we?

It took a moment for her to respond, but then she responded, We, simply put, are dragons. I don't remember all the details yet, but in a past life, long ago, we were the greatest beasts of legend. This was many, many years ago, well before recorded history I believe. During that time, when we were dragons, magic existed in the world, much like it has begun to return now. We called it Karma and it's what sustained us. Now, it seems we have been reborn in human bodies, but still retaining our draconic soul, and some of our powers.

It took me a moment to understand the full importance of what she had said, and a while longer before I was calm enough to respond. While what she told me scared me on one level, on another, deeper level, I knew it was true. I began to piece together my dreams and my new found telekinetic powers and things began making sense. I had heard the name Celestias many times in my dreams and now I knew why. It was my name. Or at least once it had been. I even remembered two other names from my dreams. We had once been a family. No not a family, something closer. We had been a brood. Illura, where is Tanaka? I asked her, finally understanding.

I don't know. I only became aware of my heritage a few months ago. Since then I have been searching for the two of you. Her reply was filled with a deep sadness, and yet at the same time, an overwhelming joy. Out loud, she said, "By the way, you can call me Katia, if you would rather."

"Okay Katia, I'm Kara." I smiled. But in all honesty I think prefer talking to you like this.

Agreed. We both burst out laughing. We spent the next half-hour or so sharing stories of our dreams, piecing together the facts as best we could. Our conversation was interrupted by the chiming of a clock in the other room. Twelve chimes later, I realized I was four hours late for work.

May I use your phone? I asked Katia.