Deciding The Route

Just as the King Cedric spoke, Aiden suddenly appeared and stood at the entrance of the castle hall. He had an evil smirk on his face as he walked past Kai towards his father.

The group also turned around and facing the King Cedric again. Luna asks King Cedric, "Why?"

King Cedric responded, "Isn't it obvious I need someone I trust to go with you." He spoke while still sitting on his throne.

Eiera said to King Cedric she had a hint of anger in her tone. "Why him? He's the one who tried to attack Kai."

King Cedric replied with a calm and reassuring tone. "Don't be ridiculous. My son was only following back then. Besides, my son is also an excellent Treasure Hunter. He will come of great use to you."

Rin jumps into the conversation, "But..."

King Cedric interrupted and said with a serious tone. "My son is joining you in this journey whether you like it or not."

After the King's response, Eiera looked at Kai, waiting for his response. Luna whispered in Kai's ear and said, "Kai, what should we do now?" She asked Kai with her soothing voice.

Kai looked at King Cedric directly in his eyes and finally broke his silence. "Fine, your son can join us, but don't expect him to come back alive."

King Cedric responded with a slow nod and said, "Just what my ears were waiting to hear. My son will lead you to the armory. All of you can discuss your route and get some new equipment if you may like."

Aiden had been smiling ever since he entered the castle hall. Kai glanced at Aiden's smiling face and said, "What are you waiting for? Lead the way."

The armory was located outside the castle on the castle ground, with two soldiers standing outside its entrance. The armory was filled with various weapons, swords, spears, crossbows, bows and arrows, and armors.

In the armory, Kai, Rin, and Eiera standing together while Luna was sitting on Kai's shoulder. Aiden brought out a long picture frame and laid it on the wooden table. The picture frame contains the map of the entire Astra.

Aiden placed his pointing finger in the middle of the map and said. "This here is Celestria, my kingdom." Aiden then placed his finger on the west side of the map and said. "This here is Verdantia. If we follow my route, we will reach Verdantia in the next three days."

Kai gently grabbed Aiden's hand, placed his finger on the south side of the map, and said. "We are going here first."

Aiden took a moment to observe the location which Kai had pointed out and said. "There's nothing there except dessert, and it's going to add six more days to our journey to Verdantia."

Kai responded, "Exactly, you don't know what's there. So, don't bother asking, we are going there. If you don't want to come with us, you can go to Verdantia by yourself, and we will meet you there.."

Aiden took a moment to make his decision and said, "Fine, I'll go to the dessert."

Just as Aiden had made his decision, Kai grabbed Aiden's palm and placed the same bracelet he had given to Hiroshi and a small dagger on Aiden's palm.

Kai said to Aiden, "You'll need this." Kai left the armory as he spoke, followed by Eiera, Rin, and Luna, leaving Aiden alone in the armory.

Aiden looked at the bracelet, scoffed, and said. "A friendship bracelet! What a joke!" Aiden throws away the bracelet.

Aiden then held the dagger firmly and said. "This could be useful." Aiden keeps the dagger.

Moments later, Aiden walked out of the armory where Kai and his group were waiting for him. Aiden was wearing shiny armor and was equipped with a sword.

Aiden commanded one of the soldiers, "Bring my horse to me." The soldier immediately ran to get Aiden's horse.

Aiden stood next to Kai and said to him, "Do you need horses? I can call one for all of you."

Kai responded, "They are on their way."

Moments later, the soldier came back with a beautiful brown horse. The horse, was completely decorated, including its saddle to its leash.

The soldier handed the horse leash to Aiden and stood back to his place. Aiden introduced his horse to Kai and spoke. "This here is Raven."

Aiden taunts Kai, "Where are your horses? I don't see any."

Just as Aiden spoke, loud noises of horses' hoofbeats emerged, and then two horses approached Kai and stood next to him on each side. The horse on the left was darker than the night and had the same bright red eyes as Kai's. The horse on the right was brighter than the star itself.

After the horse's arrival, five soldiers arrived following the horses' trail. All of the soldiers were out of breath. Soldiers looked at Aiden and said, "Master Aiden...We tried to stop... These...Horses...but they managed to...Break free."

Aiden spoke with a hint of anger in his voice. "Leave now." Listening to Aiden's command, the five soldiers went away from Aiden's sight.

Kai approached Aiden with a mocking smile beneath his mask. "The Horse on the left belongs to me. His name is Shadow. The Horse on the right belongs to Eiera and Rin. Her name is Starlight."