(This chapter is a short one. I'll keep working on the next chapter but I don't know when it will be up.)
Sephiroth was the first to awake in the morning. The sun was just rising over the mountains and the ground was covered with dew. He busied himself by building a fire for the others. Cloud and Tifa were sleeping by the reminisce of the fire from the night before. Squall had his arms around Rinoa and they were fast asleep. He looked at the faces of all his sleeping companions and they were all peaceful except for Aki. She was tossing and turning in her sleep and mumbling.
'She's having a nightmare.' Sephiroth thought as he went to wake her.
"Aki." He said. "Aki you're having a nightmare." He said as he shook her shoulder.
"Gray please don't leave me." Aki said in her dream.
"Aki." Sephiroth said loudly.
"GRAY!!" Aki yelled and sat up.
"Aki it's ok you were dreaming." Sephiroth said.
"I'm sorry." Aki said looking at the faces of her new friends that were looking at her in wonder.
"Was Gray your boyfriend?" Sephiroth asked.
"Yes." Aki said whipping the tears from her eyes and standing up. "He died saving me and the earth."
"Sounds like he was a good guy." Sephiroth said turning back to the fire he was working on.
Aki picked up some wood and helped him build the fire. The rest of the group that had been awoken by Aki's scream all got up and got ready for the road that was ahead of them. Cloud and Squall sharpened their swords. Tifa, Rinoa and Quistis packed their things that Cilendrea gave them and got their packs ready. Cecil, Kain and Rosa all went for a morning jog to get their blood flowing. And the rest set to work on breakfast. Sephiroth and Aki soon had a good fire going and warming them self's as the others went about doing their own things.
"Before you go I need to tell you." Cilendrea said. "Rameus probably will not believe you were sent by me so you must give him this sphere."
Cilendrea pulled a multi colored sphere from her gown and handed it to Sephiroth.
"I wish you all the best of luck. Come back safely so I can send you back to your homes." She said.
"And you can finally rest." Sephiroth said.
"Yes and I can finally rest." Cilendrea agreed.
She waved good bye as the 18 adventurers began their journey. Their first stop Aslin castle. It took the group less than an hour to reach Aslin Castle and they were met at the gates by several armed guards.
"Did you come from the field to the west?" The captain of the guards asked.
"Yes." Sephiroth said stepping forward.
The guards looked at each other with questioning eyes.
"Come with us." The captain said and showed them to the castle gates.
"How did you know we were coming?" Squall asked.
"We saw camp fires in the field last night and the legend says that 7 princesses and 11 knights will come and destroy Kardes a month before he awakes." The captain said.
So the king is expecting us then?" Quistis asked.
"Yes but he needs proof that you are the ones. We have had many adventures say they were the ones to try and get money." The captain said.
"And what happened to them?" Cloud asked.
"We sent them on a small quest and none have ever returned." The captain said.
"Bummer." Rinoa said as she looked at the gate as it lowered.
The captain showed them in to the castle and past many shops. Quistis looked around and saw that everyone had a look of despair on their faces even the children.
"Why is everyone so depressed?" Quistis asked.
"They know you are their last hope for survival." The captain said.
"And that worries them?" Quistis asked.
"No. It's the thought that if you fail they will all die." The captain said. "I too fear your failure."
"We will not fail." Sephiroth said.
"I pray you will not." The captain said as they entered a courtyard and the entrance to the castle it's self.
A man and woman were standing on the steps that led into the castle and both were dressed in robes.
"King Rameus I presume." Sephiroth said stepping forward.
"You must be the leader." Rameus said.
"I am." Sephiroth said. "You know why we are here and you know we are in need of haste. Please give us the map to the Forgotten lands."
"I must first be certain that you are who you say you are. I will send you on a small quest and if you live you will have the map." Rameus said.
"We don't have time." Sephiroth said taking the sphere from his pack and holding it out. "Cilendrea gave this to me."
Rameus looked into the sphere and took a step back when he saw Cilendrea appear.
"King Rameus." She said through the sphere. "These young people are the legendary Princesses and knights that will stop Kardes. I implore you to give them the map without question so they can begin their quest." She said and disappeared.
Rameus looked at the sphere then at Sephiroth and his group.
"Very well." He said and pulled a map from his robe and handed it to Sephiroth. "Forgive me for not believing you."
"That is ok but now we must go." Sephiroth said and they turned to walk away.
"Wait one of your group is unarmed." Rameus said looking at Aki. "She must have a weapon is she is to survive."
"We don't have the money to buy her any weapons." Sephiroth said regretfully.
"I will loan her a weapon. It is one of our nation's finest treasures." Rameus said as a knight walked up to him carrying a sword. "This sword belonged to Cilendrea who you have all met."
Rameus handed Aki the sword and she looked at it with wonder.
"I do not know how to use a sword." Aki said.
"I'll teach you." Sephiroth said. "Thank you King Rameus."
"I wish you success." Rameus said and waved goodbye as they walked away.