The first thing was the sound of sparkles, like chimes in a soft spring breeze. It was very soft, echoing in an unknown space and time. It repeated itself, just a sound, winding on and on in an eternal darkness.

Suddenly, light impeded the dark. It started as a tiny speck of light, no bigger than a grain of sand. But it grew, and grew, until the blackness was completely gone, and light returned, bright and welcoming. The light tinkling sound also grew louder, until the sound gave one final burst, and stopped. The light faded slowly. A deep blue replaced it. It was a familiar blue-- cold. Wet. Quiet.

Ireena finally managed to open her eyes. It hurt to open them: her eyelids were dried out and her eyeballs were sore, the sea salt burning them. She was still on the seafloor where she must have blacked out from anguish. Somehow, all of her hurting and despair had vanished. It felt like a huge burden was lifted off her shoulders. She almost felt... Tranquil.

The blue wolf opened her eyes all the way now. She stood up and analyzed her surroundings.

It was nighttime now. She must have been unconscious most of the day. All Ireena could see now was the navy colored ocean surrounding her at every side, with no sound but the water's constant currents, which never stopped there infinite cycles. She tilted her head up, towards the surface. With a new strange strength, Ireena took a jump start and swam to the top of the water.

She burst out of the water with an unmeasurable grace. Her silky ribbon hair whipped and glittered fabulously in the moonlight, the splashing water smothering Ireena and making her whole slender body sparkle with radiance. After her little moment of self-esteem, Ireena gazed around the open air. She looked North: Water and night sky. West: Same thing. South: also the same thing. East: Same thing, with a beautiful full moon in the distance, keeping an eye on Ireena like a fierce eye, watching her every move. Ireena suddenly felt anxious again, all of her emotions before flooding back to her in a suffocating wave.

Refusing to let those emotions take her over again, Ireena dived back down into the ocean. It was even darker than before, with a little soft glow from the pale moonlight. She touched the bottom again. Ireena did not know whether to turn back and go home or search for her brother, Eli, whom she feared she might never see again. Instead she flopped down on her front, closing her eyes again so that all of this pain might vanish in an instant.

Ireena couldn't sleep, so she gingerly opened one eyelid. The sea was still dark, but there was a tiny speck of new light in the deep distance. It was a small sphere, in one place, shining brilliantly. Ireena opened her eyes some more. The light was moving. She could not tell the speed, but she knew one thing that made her feel somewhat sick.

It was headed straight for her.

Ireena sprang up, not sure if she should run. Her legs would not respond, she was stuck staring at the ball of light, approaching her at a brisk pace. ireena braced herself for impact. It came closer... closer... until...

It stopped. Right in front of the wolf's face. It remained there, unmoving. Ireena kept her paws in front of her face, should the mysterious light harm her. She opened her eyes, peering in between her forelegs. The light had diminished dramatically, and began to take a shape. Ireena thought it was some rouge black or white wolf, playing pranks on her. But when she opened her eyes all the way, uncovered her face, before her stood a being her mind could never have imagined.

It was huge, a brilliant, magnificent, beaming creature with a beauty that far outweighed a famous red wolf's complexion. It glowed and put the prettiest light shows to shame. The form was a wolf- not too unusual, but it was twice the size of any wolf Ireena had ever seen in her life. The form had perfect hair in a side-shaved fashion, reaching a little below his muzzle. When he stood still his entire body was heavily built and firm, his fur a blinding white that pierced through the dark waters. He shined and shimmered all over, like an angel from Heaven. For a moment Ireena and this creature just looked into each other's eyes. The little blue wolf was bewildered when the white wolf spoke with words.

"Young one, I heard your cries of anguish, and I was sent to you with a very important task." His voice was deep and beyond majestic. Ireena gasped. Could this be.. The Master?

"No, I am not your Master," the white wolf responded. Ireena was jumped when he said that. He could read her thoughts. "Then, who, or what are you?" Ireena asked back.

With his stunning voice, he said,"Like I said, I am merely a messenger with a job to do. And it involves you."  

A chill went up Ireena's spine at those unpredictable words.