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The small bird flew through the halls of the palace following the pull of Rook’s darkness. It dispersed flowing under the door and reformed as it landed on top of Rook’s book.

“What is this?” Rook asked looking at the unfamiliar seal. He took the letter setting down the book. The bird flittered impatiently as Rook read.

He’s up to something. Get her out of there.
Tornado

Rook stood hurriedly grabbing a parchment and quill from the table. He uncorked the ink well and hastily wrote his reply, sealing it with his own seal. When he held out the letter the bird snatched it quickly returning to the Dark Realm. Rook didn’t leave the spot where he stood. He didn’t respond even when the door opened behind him.

Flora walked over to him. “Rook, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“I got a message from Tornado. Something is happening in the Dark Realm.” He handed her the letter. “We need to get Aero to safety.”

Flora looked up after scanning the letter. “I’ll go tell Aero.”

Aero was at music practice with the troupe as Flora flew over the forest gliding silently on her amethyst wings. She landed in the center of the small village causing everyone to stop instantly as they bowed to her.

“I’m sorry this is urgent,” she told them frantically. “Where is Aero?”

“I’m here,” Aero called hurrying to her side, “what happened?”

Flora handed her the letter. Aero stared at the familiar handwriting. From his writing alone she could feel the urgency of the situation imbedded in his words.

“I’ll go get prepared. Will the carriage be able to leave tonight?”

“Leave?” Ive asked from her side, “where are you going?”

“I have to go back to the Light,” she told him.

He could only stare at her unbelieving while the others cried out in protest.

She gripped the letter as she told them, “It’s already been decided.”

“Wh-what about Tornado?” Ive forced the words out, “I thought you had to wait for him here.”

Aero showed the letter. “He feels it’s best if I go. I have to trust his decision.”

“I see.” He looked down defeated.

“You’ll come back, won’t you?” Kian asked. “Even if only for a short visit?”

“I’ll try,” Aero explained, “but I have to go now-”

“You can’t just leave without saying goodbye,” Ive told her without looking up.
Aero looked around at all of their sad faces of the people who had helped get through the past year. There weren’t enough words to express her gratitude. As difficult as it would be to leave them she knew it could not be avoided.

“Thank you, all of you. You’ve all helped me so much,” she smiled trying to force the sadness and fear from her eyes, “I really enjoyed singing with you all.” The words didn’t come easily as she looked to each of their faces. “This isn’t goodbye forever, so please, . . . smile for me.”

The faces softened a bit, but Ive still didn’t look at her. Aero was pained by the reaction of her dear friend. Leaving was painful, but she couldn’t tell which was more painful, waiting or leaving.

Aero’s trunk was loaded into the carriage while the horses were harnessed.

“Tomber, how are we getting into the Light?” Aero questioned.

“They will send a portal for us momentarily. Then we will enter the Light Realm. The carriage is just to carry you to the palace.”

“I see.”

“It will be okay,” Tomber told her, “I’m sure you’ll be fine once you’ve made more friends.”

Aero nodded as light flooded the courtyard as the portal appeared.

“I guess it’s time,” Flora told her. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

Aero nodded, “You have too much to worry about here.”

“I’ll come visit soon, I promise. I’m sure Lucidia and Blake will want to see you as well.”

“I’d like that.” They hugged trying not to cry.

Rook came up to them.

“Thank you,” Aero told him, “you’ve helped me so much. I’m sorry for getting angry with you.”

He shook his head. “It’s okay. I knew you would oppose it from the beginning, but I couldn’t break my promise. I will try to do whatever is needed to keep you safe.”

“Thank you for that.” Aero told him stepping into the carriage.

“Wait!” Ive landed behind her.

“Ive?” she asked surprised.

He was out of breath as he opened his bag. “I didn’t want you to leave without it.”

He handed her the journal. “It’s made an impact here, so I thought maybe it could be of use in the Light.”

She held the journal close. “Thank you Ive.”

“You should take these, too,” he told her handing her music parchment, “you need to keep practicing for when you come back to us.”

“I will,” she told him happily.

“Will you be happy there?” Ive asked her seriously, “You’re sure this is the only choice?”

“I have to go.”

“I see,” Ive sighed stepping back from the carriage, “It won’t be the same without you.”

“I’m sorry,” she glanced over to the portal, “I should leave. Thank you for bringing these to me. It means a lot to me.”

“It was nothing.” Ive scratched his head embarrassed. “I-I’ll see you, then.”

“Yeah,” Aero turned and Ive helped her into the carriage, “Bye Ive.”

She waved closing the carriage door as Tomber pulled the carriage towards the portal. Aero held the book close to her chest as her heart pounded in her chest from her colliding emotions, fear, sorrow, anxiety, and curiosity. She shut her eyes tightly as light shone brightly through the seams of the carriage as they were swallowed by the Light. Tomber stood still even after the Light receded.

“Miss Aero, you okay in there?” he asked in his soft whinnying voice.

“I’m okay,” she told him pulling her legs close to her chest, “we should get going.”

“You aren’t going to look out the window?”

“No,” her voice shook with nervousness, “I’m a little wary of remembering.”

“I understand, I’ll tell you when we’ve arrived.”

“Thank you, Tomber.”

Tomber began the walk up the steep road to the palace. The Capitol of the Light Realm, Aile, was a city unlike any other Tomber had seen before. Everything was made of stone. Four roads led to the palace, each from a different direction. Aqueducts entered the city from between the roads letting the water fall into the fountains positioned at four different squares around the palace walls. Tomber entered the gate to the palace and found himself in a beautiful courtyard. His hooves clacked on the cobblestone as the doors closed behind the carriage.

“We’ve arrived, Miss Aero.”

Aero hurriedly hid the journal under the clothes in her trunk. She took a deep breath as she prepared herself. She slowly opened the carriage door stepping down onto the smooth cobblestones. She looked up seeing the courtyard and turned looking over the grand palace. There were four towers connected to the main part of the palace topped with a dome. Suddenly memories flooded her mind causing her mind to throb from the sudden surge. Vertigo consumed her as everything went black.