Margalo moved carefully through the unfamiliar land, golden ears flicking at every new sound that drifted through the towering pines. She still couldn’t understand how she had ended up in Mythris so suddenly, as if the world had simply plucked her from the archipelago she inhabited and tossed her into another with zero warning. The confusion lingered in the back of her mind, though curiosity motivated her adventurous outings.

The forest smelled rich with sap, damp earth, and fresh greenery. Between the thick roots and shadows of the trees, Margalo eagerly searched for patches of soft grass hidden beneath the canopy. Whenever she discovered one, her tail swayed happily as she bounded forward, flopping onto her side and rolling through the cool blades with playful delight— tongue lolling against the roof of her mouth in unison.

A flicker of unfamiliar color weaved between the trees then, capturing her attention fully. Ears perking with quiet intrigue, the Golden Retriever adjusted her position amongst the earth— now right side up. Tail continuing to brush against the weeds, the two year old acknowledged how Oluja’s vibrant violet and white fur contrasted beautifully against the deep greens and earthy browns of the forest, the unusual colors almost seeming to glow beneath the shade of the pines.

”Oh, hello!” She greeted kindly, now lifting herself onto the stature of her legs. Lazily, she’d rid her coat of any unwanted debris from the ground by shaking. Various particles, such as pine needles and bits of grass, were airborne but not noticeable.

Oluja