Cloud slumped against a rickety bench, drawing her knees up against her chest.

The Arbor gardens stretched out for miles, the moonlight bathing them in a silvery glow. The sprigwicket mushroom fields glowed a rainbow pathway towards the multiple doorways for different Healers and wards. 

But no amount of beautiful flowers could quell the discord in her heart. The moonlight began to cast twisting shadows against her wings, constantly flickering between calm and frustrated. She had abandoned her father and retreated to the solitude of the gardens to refresh and rethink. But the only thing she could think about was her broken Folka and the looming signs of war.

It took her a moment to realise her Aunt Adrisa standing resolutely behind her, hands folded as if waiting for her to speak. She melded into the darkness, her armour a stark reminder of her duty and her purpose to stay beside her no matter what.

"You know he didn't mean that, Cloud. You know he's not well…"

"But he's right. I'm not truly being Elfidari, am I?"

Her hollow voice echoed into the night, startling her as her aunt sat next to her. Adrisa's barely made a sound despite her heavy armour and the frost tipped grass crushing under her weight.

"My Folka will always be part of me whether I fight, sing or delegate. No matter how much I hate it." Cloud admitted, the tears falling without even realising it.

Her power only reminded her of how she wasn't strong enough to save her mother, to stop the Traited and couldn't even stop a single pyrith from gatecrashing the Advocate meeting. Hell, she couldn't even be honest with Venta about how she truly felt. 

"You hate your Folka? Cloud, I..."

Adrisa faltered, not knowing what to say. Cloud smiled wanly, knowing full well how bizarre her comment was. To the Four Sectors, announcing a Folka as being anything but positive was as rare as sighting a Traited during the day.

It was considered as important as breathing but Cloud couldn't bring herself to use it after what the Traited had done to her family. As much as it pained her to watch her father suffer, Tirithia was right. She'd never be able to replicate the respect given towards Venta's peacemaking ways.

"I hate this. I hate doing nothing but sitting around and waiting. I hate them, I hate what they did and I hate that I want them to suffer. I want peace but then...what am I supposed to do?" 

Cloud blinked, brushing aside her angry tears and tried to settle her rapid heartbeat. Her longing to lead an army faltered at the sight of Adrisa's spear and how the last training session went. She sighed, trying to reason with herself that the battlefield wasn't her place but the burning rage in her chest remained.

I'm meant to be the calm and collected Elfari. But I'm not. I'm angry. I'm angry at what they did. I'm angry I'm not the peacekeeper Venta wants me to be and I'm angry I can't fight like Tirithia so what am I supposed to do with all this hatred?"

Cloud's hands shook, attempting to stand but her wings were flared outwards and were jammed beneath the metal links of the bench. Frustrated, she settled for clenching the handle of the bench and attempting to avoid her aunt's stunned face. 

Adrisa attempted to hug her but Cloud shrugged it off, still furious despite the rant. Cloud had made a promise to herself ever since her mother died that her Folka would only be used on Traited. Instead, she had not only broken her vow but used her Folka to hurt her father. 

"You'll get your chance, Cloudless. It might not be until after the Solstice but it's you who ultimately decides how you want to proceed, Elfidari be damned. So use that chance and put those skills into flying not fighting."

Cloud swivelled around to her aunt angrily, completely ignoring the envelope clasped within Adrisa's hands.

"How is flying supposed to…"

It took Cloud a few moments to register her aunt's Thornguard persona, her head inclined towards her in respect despite her one liners. Her eyes went wide at the silvery blue embellished writing.

"The Solstice. They've changed it, Lady Elfari. Your speech made them listen. I believe you've been summoned." 

"I didn't say much…" Cloud admitted bashfully, not used to her aunt's demeanour.

But Cloud knew how much her fealty meant to her. Adrisa's duty towards the previous Elfidari had carried over to her and anyone who questioned that was as stupid as cat calling her wife behind her back. Her Thornguard smiled, handing her the envelope almost reverently as Cloud gingerly took it and began to read.

Lady Cloudless Elfari: Acting Leader of the Sylph Collective: Advocate of Venta Galeforce and Daughter of Aura Elfidari.

By the orders of the Four Sectors, all eligible heirs to the Elfidari name and those who endorse them are hereby summoned to participate in this year's Solstice. 

Astra Nymphari. 

Tirithia Phyari.

Fiord Dryadari. 

Cloudless Elfari.

Unlike prior years, the Solstice shall be a race held on the first blue moonrise of this year. It will take place on the grounds of our fallen comrades in the Undergrowth and will last until sunset. The race will not begin until all Advocates have been accounted for.

Whoever embodies the spirit of the Elfidari will win the race and the title to reign over the Four Sectors until the next decided Solstice.

Signed, the Collective.

Cloud took a few moments to register what she had read, folding the letter in two and cleanly placed it back into the envelope. Memorising the important details, she knew damn well that all of the other Advocates would use their Folka either instead or alongside their wings. There was no doubt Tirithia would use both.

"In my opinion, you said more than enough to make them hear you. So use it. Use that frustration of yours and fly, little wisp."

Cloud's heart warmed for her aunt, hugging her tight as her wings relaxed and tucked neatly against her back. Adrisa's surprised face softened as she cuddled her niece in return. The young Elfari sylph relaxed a little, her goal now clear for the Solstice. 

If she beat them without using her Folka then there was hope that they would ignore Tirithia in favour of her for Elfidari instead. But the gnawing anxiety in her stomach continued to grow as the reminder of the earlier war council loomed in her mind.

"But how? I haven't flown seriously since I was a fledgling! How am I supposed to beat fully trained pyriths in a race?"

Cloud couldn't help but think about the newly rebuilt Undergrowth and her time in the Dawndew flight academy. She had made her promise just before attending the Folka lessons and after being ridiculed for being unable to sing Cloud failed to show up entirely. Just like her aunt's she had never graduated from flight school.

"It looks like you'll need all the help you can get." 

It took Cloud a few seconds to recognise the Grand Healer's voice, the ex Speedchaser now out of his usual healer's coat and in what looked like old flying gear. He hung back a little, clasping onto a large, leaf woven box as if carrying the thing took all the time and energy in the world.

"Grand Healer? What are you doing here? Is my father-"

Avaitus held his hands up in a calming gesture, dropping the box onto the grass unceremoniously. Sighing, he rolled his eyes and just left it there before deciding to settle Cloud's nerves.

"It's alright, young Elfari.  He'll be sleeping for some time. Glorianna is keeping him company. As for you, I saw that illegal flutter step of yours outside the ward today."

Cloud's anxiety spiked, avoiding his gaze guiltily as her Aunt Adrisa grinned at the rulebreaking. It was a small, petty disregard for the rules but she didn't want to get in trouble after the pressures of the earlier war council.

"For someone who's been 'out of practice' since your fledgling lessons you're a lot farther along than I was at your age. Graduate or not."

Cloud blinked, her stunned expression almost like her face was permanently stuck. It was as unlikely as Tirithia sending her a white flag of surrender but regardless the best Speedchaser in Nocturus had praised her flying.

"But everyone else will be flying with their Folkas and mine is…"

"Broken? Defective?"

Cloud winced, her own thoughts confirming it was one thing but Avaitus himself saying it was entirely different. She was heartbroken, folding her arms to try and stop herself from getting upset.

"Not so, Cloudless. I would call it...intriguing. Far more so than Tirithia's attempts to use hers." He added, giving her a small smile as her aunt chuckled.

Adrisa knew how rare it was to see the crotchety Grand Healer smile but Cloud was still confused by the flying gear he was wearing and the mysterious box he kept an eye on. 

"But as my ex student suggested, you do not need it to fly. What you need is confidence. You've worked hard without needing your Folka, have you not?" Avaitus reminded her, knowing full well why she didn't use it.

Cloud blushed, grateful that he didn't pry further but she continued to fidget, desperate to know what was in the box. Red faced, she realised Avaitus was still waiting for her reply, which she mumbled back with halfhearted enthusiasm. 

"Yes, but I broke my promise. I used it even though I knew I was Breathless."

"So?" 

Avaitus raised an eyebrow, neither denying or confirming her reason. Cloud seethed, standing up in annoyance but her wings were still flat, she felt like a tantruming child.

"So, I know I'm fast but I'm nowhere near as fast as you or Tirithia."

Avaitus grinned evilly, nudging the box open with his foot as Cloud continued to make excuses, her self doubt continuing to plummet. 

"Well, I have a few ways to help with that."

"How?"

"Race against me."

Cloud gaped, staring at her aunt who merely shrugged as the Elfari stared at the mishmash of flying gear: chest guards, wing braces and even a few different sizes of helmets. 

"What?"

"I might be old but I think I can beat a Breathless sylph to this clearing and back. Unless you're scared?"

Cloud analysed the stretch of gardens, automatically navigating the best route within the sprigwicket field. Sighing, she watched the old Grand Healer start stretching in his old racing colours. It was a similar setup to Thornguard armour but in leather and with dryads colours of gold and green.

"I'll show you what a Breathless can do, ya old sprigwicket."