Chapter 2 Air bubble ---------------------------------------------------------------- Dagger plunged into the icy water, the murky river engulfing him from head to tail tip. Shards of ice floated around, melting, and odd underwater plants drifted around. The water stung his eyes as he opened them, glancing around. He was drifting downward, the sunlight slowly fading away, as if the dark depths were eating the golden rays. The river was deeper than he had thought, way deeper, as he started sinking. Time was ticking. Every minute with air was precious. A group of maybe six or seven fish swam past him, their scales shimmering as they caught the little sunlight from down here. Besides him, they were the only living, and moving, creatures in this river. One of the fish darted away from the group, wriggling its way into a gap between a flat rock and the sandy bottom, only to dart into the safety of the school again. He needed air. And he needed it now! Thrashing his paws, they flailed in all directions, giving him little lift. He was sinking slowly, panic coursing through him. He tried to twist around to see how close he was to the bottom, but little light shimmered down here. He couldn’t swim. What kind of Sea Wolf am I, not knowing how to swim? Dagger thought. He should know how to swim. Or maybe he had to learn how to swim first, but shouldn’t it be easy to swim for a sea wolf? His eyes started to drift closed, the current swaying his body. This is it, Dagger thought. I’m going to drown like the stupid non-swimmer I am. And suddenly, everything was knocked out of him. Any remaining breath disappeared, all his strength vanishing. He slammed into the sea floor, sand showering above him. A gigantic ball of light grew in front of him, and he covered his eyes with his paws. It exploded, shimmering into the shape of a wolf. It floated above him, as graceful as a bird in flight. It looked misty, a light blue color, as if you touched it, it would turn into nothing. Its eyes glowed white, its body turning transparent as some of the little light flitted through it. Dagger gaped in amazement, the wolf was so pretty. It gazed at him a moment longer, then flicked its tail, and suddenly, all the water around them surrounded them in air. The whole area was lit with bright light once more, dimming so he could see everything around him. It was a sphere-like dome, and as Dagger got up, he realized the sand beneath his paws was dry. His fur was no longer wet, and he gasped, relishing the feeling of breathing again. He prodded the water's surface, and it jiggled, sending seaweed outside waving dramatically. Dagger whipped around, the wolf now standing on the sandy floor like him. Now, instead of all misty, it looked like it was made of water. Its fur waved like the currents, shifting through different shades of blue. Its eyes were a turquoise color, the pupils shining a bright white. Blinking, he padded forward, sniffing. The smell of salt water wafted into his nose, and he clenched his jaw to stop from sneezing. Since he was closer, he now knew this wolf was female. She tilted her head, trotting around him, and sending some of her fur trailing off into the ocean like droplets. She stopped, inches in front of him, and Dagger had to stop himself from backing away. He squared his shoulders, hoping to look the least un-intimidated as possible. “Hello, Dagger” The wolf breathed, a beautiful soft voice that felt utterly calm. Dagger was curious; how did she know his name? The wolf gazed up at the sky, while Dagger racked his memory. She seemed familiar, and closing his eyes, he saw a blue wolf leaning above him, alike to this wolf he was with now, but the memory was fuzzy, and he couldn’t make out the details. A blotch of light gray, or maybe white, flashed at the edge of his memory, but was soon interrupted by the wolf’s soft voice, making him flinch back in surprise. “Don’t be scared, young one” She murmured, looking back down at him. Dagger stiffened, offended. “I’m not scared!” he howled, irritated. He was not going to let this mysterious wolf think he was a coward. She nodded, small but sure, her drippy tail brushing the ground. “I’m sure you aren't… but it’s not everyday you meet a stranger who looks nothing of your kind” She paused, her flanks switching slightly. “Would you like to know my name?” Dagger nodded, eager. I mean, I might as well know who she is… He thought, cocking his ears forward. “My name is Vaelith, and I am the spirit of the water” Dagger sat down, confused. Spirit? Of the water? Vaelith sighed, gazing at another school of fish passing by. Continued below -
“I lookout for the sea wolves. See, I’m most connected to them, as they are connected to the sea. Unlike the others..” Vaelith muttered, her bark almost a growl. She shook her head and continued, “I can help them when they are in trouble, for I can control water,” She gestured to the air bubble around them, “And breathe in it. I am also immortal, so they will never lose me” She hesitated at the last bit, as if doubting it was true. Dagger had heard of immortal wolves and other beings like that. They lived forever and usually had unique powers. Vaelith…Dagger had heard her name before. Perhaps from the many stories his mother told? Or maybe from somewhere else…. He gazed at his paws for a bit, thinking, then suddenly realized Vaelith had stopped talking. She was staring out to the dark river, scowling. “What’s wrong?” He asked, nervous. Was something out there? Vaelith shook her head. “No. Nothing.” She murmured, distracted, then sharply turned to Dagger. “You must go now,” she announced quietly. Dagger got up, bewildered. “Why? We just met!” She howled, disappointed. He barely knew anything about her, and now she was leaving? “You don’t understand. If you tell anyone about me, you might be in danger, alright?” Dagger nodded reluctantly, sad he had to go. Vaelith planted her paws into the ground. “Ready?” She asked. “Yes. I’m….I’m ready” Water surged up from under him, sending him flying into the air, possibly fifteen feet, and out of the water.Air whipped his fur, the great flying feeling once more, and then the utter drop to the ground. He covered his snout with his paws, stiff, expecting to crash on the hard sandy earth, but instead he landed onto a pile of leaves below a large tree. He lay, paws splayed, and gasping for a moment, and then leaping onto his paws. He sidestepped, dizzy, then shook his floppy ears and darted to the water’s edge once more. He peered in, his nose almost touching the rippling surface, but he didn’t see the faint glowing of the beautiful wolf again. Closing his eyes, he relished the memory of the wolf he wanted to know more of. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go to the studio for more!
