A Paladin's Promise

Chapter 13: Searching For Allies

Before we make our way to the Moon, we'll need more allies. I know of a few places in the game where we can find new summons for Rydia and me. The Sylvan Caves in the underground will be our first stop. Boarding the Enterprise, I direct Cid across the lava to the cave mouth.

"Why are we here, Adrienne?" Rosa asks.

"You'll see."

We step inside. Unlike the warmth of the underground, this cave is cold and damp. Much like the Land of Summoned Monsters, however, the cavern floors here will harm us if we step on them. I cast Float on the party to prevent this from happening. We find charm arrows and a potion inside some nearby chests. I grab the arrows and give them to Rosa.

"You'll need these."

"Thank you, Adrienne."

We wander the cavern when a group of tree and plant monsters jump out at us. We decide to stand and fight. Rydia's first in the turn order, so she casts a mid-level lightning spell on them. I follow by summoning Jinn. He should deal heavy damage to these plant monsters, right? Jinn rains fire down on the creatures and they burn to a crisp, ending the battle. We continue, opening chests along the way. I find a charm rod and give it to Rydia to wield.

"Thanks, Adrienne!" She kisses me on the nose, then twirls the rod in her hands. I smile.

We encounter more monsters as we descend: ghosts, witches, frogs, plants, and more. Collecting gold and potions along the way, the air around us grows colder and heavier, taking on a more misty feel. Soon, we reach an open area with six chests sitting across from each other.

"Something's wrong," I say.

"What is it?" Cecil asks.

"I sense monsters."

"Where?"

"Inside the chests."

Cecil turns to the party, sword in hand, and nods.

We each open a chest one by one. Six ghosts emerge from the first one. Before the battle begins, I remember that ghosts are immune to spells yet weak to weaponry.

"Cecil and Edge, attack as normal. Rosa, use your bow. Rydia, use your staff. Ghosts can't be killed by magic."

"Okay, Adrienne!" Rydia says.

Moments later we kill off all the ghosts. We collect an elixir as spoils. Opening the next chest, we find plant monsters inside. Rydia summons Leviathan, killing them all in an instant. After that battle, Edge learned a spell called Image and Rosa learned Cure 4, the strongest healing spell. We soon defeat the rest of the creatures hiding within the chests. I sense a familiar presence once we reach the bottom of the Sylvan Caves, but the narrow, winding passageways make it hard to pinpoint. We find a save point in a small corner of the caves. I set up a tent and a fire so we can rest and recuperate from the dozens of minor battles we won. Cecil, Rosa, and Edge all enter the tent to sleep, but Rydia remains by my side.

"Are you all right, Adrienne?"

"Oh, um, yeah, sorry."

"No need to be." She grabs hold of my hand. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing really. Just... I can't help feeling that there's someone inside the Sylvan Caves waiting for us."

"Someone you know?"

"Yeah..."

"Any idea who it could be?"

"I'm not sure. It's hard to say."

"It's okay! I'm sure we'll figure it out together."

"All right. I'll do my best."

Once we finish gathering our strength, we continue, and soon we discover...