Having concluded until the results were said everyone was sent out one more time.

Standing outside the grand doors of the Herald Council hall, Lita's heart was pounding with a mixture of anxiety and hope. Inside, the fate of the Surface was being decided. For centuries, Eden had assisted those on the Surface, offering guidance, resources, and protection. But now, it was fated amongst the Heralds.

As a Holder of Eden, Lita started to feel the weight on her shoulders causing her to hunch and breath slow. Having only wanted to flee the Surface for a brief time to escape the drama in Eden, only to have the task of being the one to observe the Surface and its inhabitants at the Herald's bidding did not feel at all fair.

The Surface was evolving, becoming more self-sufficient, and some members of the Council believed it was time for Eden to step back and let them fend for themselves.

Lita couldn't shake the feeling that withdrawing now would only lead to a stale decline. The change was inevitable. When being appointed as the Holder of Lightning she was far too young to understand the importance of such meetings, reflecting now made her wish she did to undo the wrongs beforehand.

No longer being able to visit the Surface brought a sense of deep loss. Over the years of observation from above and her one time physically being on the Surface, she had formed connections with the people there, friendships that felt new. The idea of never again seeing their smiling faces and perhaps never experiencing another day together wasn't fair.

Lost in her thoughts, barely noticing when a warm hand set gently on the small of her back. The presence was like a comforting flame, as it gave a warm rub, bringing a wave of reassurance over her. The touch is reminiscent of a mother's touch.

She was glancing over her shoulder meeting the familiar fiery blues of a familiar tiger. Rahki's comforting touch eased her worries, Lita let out a soft sigh, her shoulders relaxing prompting herself to slouch forward. "Oh, Rak.. Fotiá," she murmured, her voice tinged with gratitude and relief.

Rakhi held a gentle expression, her eyes glimmered with concern and understanding as she smiled softly. "Lita," She said softly, "I've never seen you so anxious, not since you first came to Eden. Whatever is troubling you, know that you can always tell me. I'm for you and always."

Lita managed a weak smile, touched by Rakhi's words. It had been so long since she had first arrived in Eden, having washed up along the shore of that Island that would later become her new home, teaching what she needed to wind up in Eden.

Over the years, she had grown and changed, finding her place among the people of Eden, but some things just felt repetitive. The bond she shared with Rakhi was the only conclusive one aside from the Holder of Air who rarely left his perch. As for the rest, they were more introverted and narrow-minded prompting unaligned discussions and agreements in the past.

"Thank you, Fotiá," Lita said, her voice filled with emotion. "Your support means a lot."

Gazing out at the breathtaking scenery of Eden spread out before her. From this vantage point, all five lands can be seen, each unique and beautiful. The lush forests of the Holder of Earth, the vast plains of her land, the serene oceans and rivers the Holder of Water had connected, the towering peaks of the lava rock mountains of Rakhi's, and the Holder of Air flying above amongst his floating islands resting in the clouds as their rivers off and onto Eden's surface.

Despite the beauty surrounding her, Lita couldn't shake the knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. As she took a deep breath, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her, and she clutched the railing for support.

Rakhi, standing beside her, looked at with concern. "Lita, are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

Lita initially wanted to laugh to show she was fine but shook her head, forcing a weak smile. "I'm fine, Fotiá," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. "It's just... I feel like I'm going to be sick."

Rakhi's brow furrowed with concern. "Is it something you ate? Or perhaps the altitude?" she asked, giving a supporting hand on Lita's chest to push her upright.

Lita shook her head again, her throat tight with emotion. "No, it's not that," she reassured, sighing through her nose, helping clear her head. "It's just... I can't shake the feeling that I've let the Surface down. That I've failed them somehow."

Rakhi's expression softened, and she reached out to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Lita, you've done everything you can to help the Surface," she said gently. "You've earned not to worry as even for me it shouldn't be you to have been tasked with this. Whatever happens, know that you've done your best, and that's all anyone can ask for."

As the wind blew through her squeals Lita smiled sheepishly. "Honestly aside from the drama going on here. I wanted to see if I could find my mother's village," she confessed, glancing over her shoulder at Rakhi.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Rakhi asked, her voice soft as her expression shifted to confusion.

Lita sighed, her gaze drifting out across the vast expanse of Eden. "I didn't want the Heralds to know as they'd only keep me from leaving," she admitted. "And... I wasn't sure if I'd ever find it. But as the years passed, I couldn't help wanting to keep searching. My mother's village might have the answers for why she never came to get me after I waited for so long."

Rakhi nodded in understanding, her eyes reflecting her compassion for her friend. She too tried searching for a way back to her own but then remembered the fire. "Lita, you've never been alone," she said softly. "I've been here for you, every step of the way. And no matter what happens, I'll continue to support you in your search. Even if it costs me turning to stone."

As Rakhi expressed her heartfelt sentiment, a warmth spread through Lita's chest, soothing the turmoil within her. She felt the weight of her words, the depth of her sincerity, and momentarily, she was overwhelmed by emotion. But instead of offering a verbal response, Lita simply gave a small nod, her throat tight with unspoken gratitude.

—

As the Council meeting drew to a close, the air in the room grew heavy with tension. The verdict had been delivered, and the Heralds of Eden had unanimously agreed that the Surface was to be separated from Eden. Lita stood among them, her heart sinking as the weight of the decision settled upon her like a crushing weight.

The room fell silent as the gravity of the verdict sunk in. Lita felt as though she were standing on the edge of a precipice, teetering on the edge of a vast void. She wanted to speak out, to protest against the decision, but the words caught in her throat, choked by a sense of helplessness and despair.

Around her, the other Heralds exchanged somber looks, their expressions reflecting the solemnity of the moment. For centuries, Eden had been a beacon of hope and guidance for the Surface dwellers, but now, that bond was being severed, casting a shadow over their shared history.

The bell rang grabbing all attention as the Herald of the South spoke, "The decision has been made. The Surface is to be separated from Eden."

Lita remained standing, unable to give a response, as the reality of the decision fell over her like a heavy weight she could no longer lift, and for what it was worth she started feeling tired.

Then came the Herald of the North, "It is a necessary step for both our worlds. The Surface has grown beyond our guidance."

It felt as though she were falling into the void, the ground slipping away beneath her feet. In that moment, she felt a profound sense of loss, not just for the Surface, but for the bonds she would now have to forget.

It was the final words of the one Lita thought held the most wisdom. With a flicker of their hand, the Herald of the West spoke, "We cannot hold onto the past forever. The Surface must learn to stand on its own."

—

Back in her temple, Lita lay in her bed, the events of the day swirling in her mind like a tumultuous storm. The weight of the Council's decision bore down on her like a heavy burden, and she found herself unable to comprehend what had transpired.

Even with a care package from Rakhi nestled on her vanity tied in a bright red bow with a scrolled message with her wax seal and another scroll, blue with the seal of the Holder of Water carelessly tied.

With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes, hoping to find solace in the darkness behind her eyelids. But even in the quiet solitude of her room, she could not escape the echoes of the verdict that had been handed down. The separation of the Surface from Eden seemed like an insurmountable obstacle, a rift that threatened to tear apart the very fabric of their shared existence.

As she lay there in the stillness, Lita felt a profound sense of loss wash over her. It was not just the separation from the Surface that weighed heavily on her heart, but the dissolution of the bonds that had once united their worlds. The thought of never again walking among the people of the Surface, of never again feeling the warmth of the real sun on her skin that made her fur for once appear shiny, filled her with a deep sense of emptiness.

Unable to find comfort in sleep, Lita lay there in the darkness as the moon rose and the Holder of Air made his rounds by the sound of his calls echoing across the plains, grappling with the enormity of what had happened. And so, with a heavy heart and a determined spirit, Lita closed her eyes and curled into herself, surrendering to the darkness.