Aerbs Mountains The Aerbs Mountains are a geographical formation in " Final Fantasy IX " . Located on the planet of Gaia , the mountains are a long chain of branching peaks on the Mist Continent . Their altitude effectively separates the continent into three distinct areas of flatland , each ruled by a different kingdom : Alexandria in the northeast , Burmecia in the northwest , and Lindblum in the south . To make trade convenient between the three countries , several methods of transportation have been erected along the mountains . There are various foot gates on either side of the peaks , allowing people to reach the system of cable cars . Two airship gates serve as a checkpoint to inspect airships traversing the three countries . In disc 3 the player can revisit these areas , but the cable cars no longer work due to the absence of Mist . On disc 4 , all areas of the Aerbs Mountains are blocked by Iifa Tree roots , rendering them inaccessible . Part - time Worker Mary , who retreats to Dali after Aerbs Mountains become inaccessible , says that the whole South Gate was destroyed when the Iifa roots broke through the ground to release Mist . Locations . North Gate . North Gate is the airship gate that regulates trade between Alexandria and Burmecia . It has two lower gates on either side : the Melda Arch that lies on the Alexandrian side , and the Burmecian Arch on the opposite side . Both are blocked to the player since no storyline events occur at North Gate , as peaceful relations between the two countries were nonexistent by the time the player party comes across them . Though the player never visits North Gate , it has a similar design to South Gate , minus the Berkmea Cable Cars that operate at South Gate . Melda Arch . The players can enter the Melda Arch once Zidane , Vivi , Steiner , and Garnet escape from Evil Forest . Steiner comments that the Alexandrian war flag is flying from the gate , and Zidane notes the fresh footprints outside the gate , as well as the rising smoke and the sound of voices and metal work from the other side . The party cannot investigate further due to traveling with Garnet ; however , Zidane can buy Potions from a woman behind the gate . Later , it becomes clear they had encountered the Alexandrian Army on its way to Burmecia before the imminent invasion . Burmecian Arch . Zidane , Vivi , Freya , and optionally Quina , arrive at the Burmecian Arch once they reach the other side of the mountains on their way to Burmecia . Freya notes the smoke rising from there as well and the smell of blood , most likely the result of the conflict between Alexandria and Burmecia . A rainbow can be seen as a one - time event here at any point between obtaining the " Blue Narciss " and going to Terra . South Gate . South Gate allows travel , both via airship and on foot , between the territories of Alexandria and Lindblum . The South Gate appears in an FMV where Zidane , Garnet , Vivi , and Steiner pilot the cargo ship to reach Lindblum . Black Waltz 3 attacks the airship , and Zidane leaves Garnet to decide whether to fly through the Gate to Lindblum or turn back to Alexandria . Garnet decides to go through the gate , which begins to close on them and the Black Waltz . As the two airships fly through the interior , the Black Waltz sets his airship on fire with an erratic Thunder spell , causing it to explode and damage the South Gate . The cargo ship makes it through , carrying its passengers to Lindblum Castle . South Gate is destroyed by the resurgent roots of the Iifa Tree after the party returns from Terra . Part - time Worker Mary and Part - time Worker Jeff survive and find refuge in Dali . Bohden Gate . The Bohden Gate is Lindblum ' s foot passageway to the Aerbs Mountains and is situated near South Gate . Garnet and Steiner flee here after escaping Lindblum . They get through the lower Bohden Gate in the King Ed Plains , walk up the mountain , get through the higher Bohden Gate and reach the Aerbs Lindblum Station . Steiner must hide Garnet in a burlap sack full of Gysahl Pickles to avoid recognition by the Lindblum guards flanking the entrance to the gate , aided by the pickles ' repulsive odor . Once past the guards , Garnet comes out of hiding , and the pair boards the cable car to the mountain crest . This area can be revisited on disc 3 , and the player can open a treasure chest containing an Elixir card at the top of the ladder that Steiner was unable to open due to the heavy load he was carrying . Summit Station . Summit Station , also known as Aerbs Peak Station , lies at the apex . This is the midpoint between the Aerbs Lindblum Station in Lindblum and Aerbs Alexandria Station ( leading to the Dali and Treno Gates in Alexandria ) , where the two cable cars take turns docking . Its rest area holds several shop s and a save moogle , and the local cafe is famous for its bundt cake . Steiner and Garnet get off the Lindblum cable car and meet Marcus from Tantalus Theater Troupe , who plans to continue to Alexandria , and Cinna , who plans to head back to Lindblum . Steiner makes a fuss and tries to prevent Garnet from talking with the two , but she scolds him . Marcus accompanies Steiner and Garnet to Alexandria to collect a Supersoft from Treno to save his friend Blank who was petrified back in the Evil Forest . Along the way , the cable car stops to avoid a collision with a battered Black Waltz 3 who is still trying to kidnap Garnet . He is defeated by Garnet ' s party and the cable car resumes its journey . Because Summit Station is only accessible by cable car in either direction and has no airship or choco bo access , it is an unrevisitable location by disc 3 when the Mist is gone . Dali and Treno Gates . The Alexandrian station contains a small item shop and paths to the two locations under the control of Alexandria — the city of Treno and the hamlet Dali . Several markers and statues are erected here in honor of Regent Cid VIII , the former leader of Lindblum who designed the cable car system to foster a friendship with Alexandria . Steiner , Garnet , and Marcus must head to Treno in their quest for Blank ' s medicine . Quests . Morrid ' s coffee . The first of the set , Moccha Coffee , can be found at Bohden Gate in the King Ed Plains and can be found as early as disc 1 . The player will see an ATE earlier in the game where Tantalus visits South Gate , and Cinna makes the coffee . Mognet . Grimo at Boden Station sends a letter to Nazna at the South Gate resting area : The letter the party delivers from Grimo to Nazna : Nazna from the resting area sends a letter to Mochos in the Gargan Roo . Musical themes . " At the South Gate Border " plays here . It is an arrangement of the world map theme , " Over the Hill " .