After some more wandering around the Burning Sands, I accidentally found the correct way to go. The path down in the lava cave was hidden by Riesz’ health bar... SNES game design, man.
We quickly meet Belladonna and Jessica, where the evil one threatens to throw the innocent one into the lava. Suddenly, a dart appears from behind us and hits Belly. She drops Jess on the ground, and Hawkeye rushes forward to keep her safe. Belly retreats deeper into the cavern. Hawkeye takes his girlfriend back to Diin, the oasis city I accidentally found while wandering, and we advance forward to see the Fire Crystal steaming. Belladonna had planned to sacrifice Jessica to the Fire Crystal until we showed up, so she had to use the souls of Bil and Ben instead. She reminds us of her Dark Master and flies off. The Mana Crystal is still steaming and its spirit, Salamando, appears. He’s vehement that his crystal was tampered with and vows vengeance. He joins up and teaches Angela her fire spell and Riesz, a physical damage buff. He and Fairly wonder about the Benevodons. We wander back to Diin, where Hawkeye is watching over a sleeping Jessica. Nothing else is here, so return to Vascay and head for the fifth spirit.
For me, that would be Undine, but I think it can be either way around. I found another beach hidden behind icebergs in the north, which is the way to the Hamlet Village Alrant, in Altenian territory. The inhabitants say the queen once kept this village warm but no longer does. This is the first place that sells multiple weapons for a character, so be careful that you’re buying the strongest one. I think it’s all based on class, so had I went to the other class, I’d have a different selection. It’s also expensive. I was able to buy what I needed now, but that’ll change later. For now, we head south and into Frostbite Fields. This place is a long maze filled with mobs that only kinda do a lot of damage. It’s surprisingly manageable after what I’ve been through. I really wish I had come here first... Eventually, we find the black knight that attacked Sylph. He tells us that he fights for the Dragon Lord, the villain that Durran’s homeland fought against. At this, Durren becomes enraged. If the Dragon Lord is alive, that means his dad died for nothing. The black knight becomes silent, disappears, and summons three of those adorable murder bots.
Don’t use magic! I can not stress that enough. If you do, they will counter with a teamwide lightning attack. It hits hard and will kill you! Treat them like a traditional, extended fight, and they go down in time. Use diabetes tactics if/when need be.
Beyond this fight is the terribly named Labyrinth of Ice. It’s one open floor room, not even remotely labyrinthian, that contains the Mana Crystal. While the party is stating how determined they are to save the world, Undine appears. She’s crying because our story is so touching. She joins us, and the usual things happen. It's worth noting, Riesz asks why we don’t let them open the portal to the mana realm and get to the Mana Sword before they do? Fairy responds, saying the portal would drain all the mana left in the world.
With Undine aboard, we can open up another path elsewhere. Take Viscay to a river south of the Golden Road, where one of our new Spirits will destroy the gargoyle blocking our way, and we reach the Moonlight Town, Mintas. It’s a village where it’s always midnight. At least it looks so, but I didn’t check if time still flowed. There are more new weapons and armor in the shops, and the townsfolk say how Beastmen are from the area. They’re not usually aggressive, though. The Duskmoon Forest is our destination and, through it, is the Moon Mana Crystal. In an area where the goddess statue is Karl’s Grave. Who's Karl? Past the statue are two Beastmen, Liegar and Goremon. Goremon is sacrificing Altenian mages to someone until Kevin, the last could-be hero we’ve met, shows up. We learn Kevin is the prince of the Beastmen, Karl's friend, Ludgar's enemy, and doesn't want to be king. Kevin is knocked out after Ludgar shows up. We then make our appearance and end up fighting Ludgar, while Goremon runs into the castle behind him.
Ludgar isn’t that hard. He spams a teamwide, physical attack that nearly halves our HP, but otherwise, isn’t a problem. Diabetes strat and whail on him. Kevin wakes up in time to say a farewell to his longtime rival. Suddenly, Luna, the Moon Mana Spirit, shows up and answers Kevin’s final request. Kevin wanted Ludgar's next life to be better. Kevin is the heir to the Beastmen, despite not wanting it, and Ludgar is more qualified. Luna turns Ludgar into a baby and will challenge Kevin in a few years for the throne. Kevin defends the fort we’re about to enter, and we go into the Chartmoon Tower. The only thing here is the Moon Mana Crystal.
The final spirit is on the eastern side of the Altenian continent. It’s usually blocked by a plant, but Luna can remove it. On the otherside is Charlotte, who’s here to look for medicine for her grandpa. The barrier he put up uses forbidden magic and came with a curse she’s trying to cure. Since she’s upset we left her in the Cascade Caverns, she runs off. We find her beset by mobs in the next room. We save her with ease, and she says she’ll follow us after giving us the trick of navigating through here. Follow the Red Flowers that bloom at night. If we do that, we come to the Elvin Village of Dior. All the inhabitants hate humans and won’t talk to us yet. We find the Elder, and Charlotte catches up. The Elder recognizes her instantly and informs Charlotte that her mother is from this town. Her dad is a human from somewhere else. Charlotte is a half-elf, and both of her parents are dead somewhere. Charlotte, crying the tears you’d expect a child to cry, runs out of the house. The Elder tells us that Luna can open a new path near the Golden Goddess Statue, so we make our way there. The new weapons and armor are super expensive. I was only able to afford the weapons because I’ve learned nothing from complaining about my defenses. The mobs in the last two areas haven’t been a problem, so I’m confident.
As I should have been. The Lampbloom Woods is straightforward and easy to navigate. Eventually, we come to the boss, Grapplevine. There are two parts to this fight. Part one has him summoning mobs that are easily felled with Angela’s magic and Riesz’ new special skill. The second part is a bit harder. Ultimately, though, it was one of the easiest boss fights in a long time. I barely gave anyone diabetes! Had to use a few cups of wishes, mind you, but less sugar. I’m glad I didn’t play this game when I was younger. I’d have eaten more sugar than I did.
After we beat Grapplevie, Dryad shows up. He’s the Mana Spirit of the Wood and claims he’d slow us down. Riesz and Fairy convince him he’s still strong, and he joins us. With all the Mana Spirits as allies, Fairy encourages us to travel to Oblivisle. That’s where she entered this world from and where we’ll enter hers. I’ve already been there since it’s so close to the Valsena shore, so I know my destination!
Which I’ll do tomorrow!
Armor is expensive, though, so I’m gonna grind some money. I have an idea of what’s about to happen, and I want to be prepared for it. Tonight was enjoyable and pretty peaceful. Almost too much, actually. I made a lot of steps but didn’t feel like I advanced much. I learned a lot about characters I didn’t bring along, but I kinda wish I had. Charlotte seems a lot more interesting, and I want to know who Kevin is. Riesz' arc has been solved, and she's a bit boring now. I might end-up playing a second time through. That’s always a sign of a good game.
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