Nerves shot, heart pounding, Ireena woke with a frightful start. She stood up, checking herself all around and flinging sand into the air, desperately trying to make sure this was reality. She bit and clawed herself in a frenzy until she finally wore herself out. "I'm okay," she repeated to herself several times, "I'm okay, everything's alright, everything is still the same."

But her words were not entirely true. She was no longer on a dreamy cloud landscape, with merry spirit companions to wish her a good morning. There was nobody next to her to stroke her hair when she was anxious. An abrupt longing overcame Ireena, but she snapped out of it quickly. At least, there were no insidious skies looming over her like an imminent devil waiting to posses her fragile body. There were no awful smells to impede her ability to even think. Ireena decided right there on the spot she was more relieved to be in reality at the moment.

Calm came over her once again,and she lifted her pointed nose to the sky. It was early dawn, when the sun is just peeking over the horizon, giving the land a majestic glow. There was a strong beach breeze coming from the east, blowing sand particles into Ireena's eyes and hair. But she didn't care. All she could focus on was the landscape before her, like in her dream. Ireena was a contemplative creature; and a creature to contemplate as well. She had the appearance of a wolf, but taller and more slender. Her baby blue fur captured the ocean mist and shimmer in the morning sun. She had beautiful white hair with the feel of silk, and her amber-gold eyes sparkled with pure radiance. She had such a magnificent form one could mistake her as an angel when she swam in the ocean on her way home. And Ireena is only one of the many thousands in her race.

With a deep sigh, Ireena turned Northward toward the ocean, where her home lie far underneath. She felt rather sad that she must leave dry land- it was very beautiful after all. But she knew she cannot stay on dry land for too long: Water wolves can develop an illness called Landwalker's disease, which impairs their ability to thrive underwater. This is bad because special minerals and chemicals in seawater keeps a water wolf healthy. So Ireena said goodbye to the salty wind as she slowly disappeared under the boisterous waves.

It felt good to be back underwater. The sun had finally made it over the horizon line, and was now beginning to splay its rays over all the earth as it climbed the lightening sky. The sea started to brighten gradually. Creatures that dwelled on the ocean floor stirred, getting ready for a new day. The water began to sparkle and glitter with life.

Ireena's spirit felt as jubilant as the morning sun. She was a graceful swimmer, hair wavy and shimmery like shiny silk ribbons, her fur capturing the sun's rays, her entire body almost glowing in the water. Her keen eyes spotted something in the distance toward the seafloor. It twinkled with light, standing tall and still. As Ireena got closer she knew what it was. She was approaching her home. All of the water wolf packs had a large gate by their territories so other wolves and creatures knew where each other's boundaries were.

Each rank was distinguished by color. From most to least important, they were ordered like this: Silver wolves were the most important pack. They were the warriors, the great ones. Legendary wolves came from that line. It was rare for a wolf to be born a silver: it is a myth that it is a gift from The Master Himself. Next are black and white wolves. Black and white wolves together act with a yin and yang function. They have the ability to fuse, which allows shape-shifting abilities. Red wolves are blessed with extreme beauty. They are of high rank only because they are well respected for their charm. Blue wolves, like Ireena, held no special purpose or power. They were commoners. The only function they really had was to bring bad luck occasionally. Blues were treated as cast-offs by others.

Ireena didn't mind too much about her social position. She was just a creature who loved life. If only her family and relatives thought the same. A lot of the blues carried a somewhat sour attitude, always moping around the territory and silently envying the other wolf pack territories nearby. This is exactly what Ireena arrived home to, every time.

All water wolves lived in aboveground dens made of shells, limestone, and pearls. Ireena sniffed out her family's scent in one of the dens and walked inside.

Ireena was used to coming home to her parents and younger brother brooding and sighing, moaning over their empty futures. But today she heard no such noise when she walked in. She entered a small room where her parents slept. Sure enough, they were there, their backs turned to their daughter. Ireena noticed they were clutching each other tightly. As she got closer, she could see the two bodies trembling fiercely, quiet muttering escaping their lips. Ireena crept toward them warily, not sure how to approach them. She was right behind her mother, slowly raising her paw.. gently touched her quaking shoulder...