The secret of FIRESEAL and the Firecrest
This stage is part of a complex easter egg. Most people who've done it got it from Game FAQS and don't realize the labyrinthine process involved with legitimately finding the Fireseal. First you need the four legendary swords: Euros, Notos, Boleas and Zepyulos. The last one you can only get by not recruiting Fogel, which forgoes the best ending and one of the best characters in the game. Then take these items to the hidden temple in Shiguld and you will be given the Firecrest (aka Fireseal). Then you read it's description: This item tells you how to get to dragon’s Haven. In a way... This is somehow supposed to clue you in to make a new game with your character's name as "FIRESEAL". Rather complex don't you think? Gets even better if you got a version where the item is called "Firecrest" in it's description but the cheat is still Fireseal!
About Dragon's Haven
So upon entering the cheat, you will have to do character generation as usual. The gimmick here is you start at level 15 and the units on your army depend on the alignment you gave Destin. To mix things up, I will aim to get the most evil version of Destin I can get away with. Destin's name depends on his alignment (in this case, Lexar, but I will keep calling him Destin rather than after some computer accessory company).And here's the tough part of the bonus stage: You don't get to choose your squads. You begin with a limited selection of units you never got to choose, and are stuck forming sub-par squads. You are given 7 squads, with 8 spare units, and it is up to you to make something decent out of it. Since I went evil, I have NO clerics. However, I do have three Dragoners Masters, meaning I could spend some initial funds and using those guys as leaders, recruit some advanced dragons to field my army. I also have a spare Lich and a spare Vampire. Liches can recruit wraiths and Phantoms, while the vampire can recruit me some werewolves. I also have three Nixies, and since the stage has alot of water, they are not a TOTAL waste. Nixies can recruit mermaids and Octopi, which can then be upgraded to Krakens. The good news is the map's small size and one shot nature means I can do this with just 7 units. But why risk it?
- Lexar Destin's squad is composed of him, two mages, and two evil ones tanking.
- A Lich and two Demons with two evil ones tanking for them.
- A Witch and a Tiamat in the back, and two halloween, one in the front, one in the back.
- A Ravenman and a Cockatris in the back, two ninjas in the front.
- A Beast Master, a Titan in the back and two Wild men tanking.
- A Ninja Master and two Dollmasters in the back, a Wyvern in the front.
- A Paladin and two Samurais in the front, two ninjas in the back.
- A Dragon Master and another and a Mage, with a free spot for a tier 2 dragon to be recruited when the map starts.
- A Dragon Master with two free spots for two Tier 2 dragons.
- A Vampire with a free spot of a Werewolf to be recruited, and three Nixies in the back row.
Dragon's Haven
As I said. Small map
◊ Lots of units though. Like in the two final stage, this map requires an agressive stance. Good news is, since we are evil, we can use this swarm of units to power level our collective butts.
First is recruiting. Squad 10 gets a werewolf. squad 8 and 9 get black dragons. The black dragons already meet the requirement to become Tiamats!
Bright Rock is freed by squad 4 for 0: Fool.
Yup, the boss is none other than our old friend Albeleo. Speaking of Dragons, Squad 5 meet a Salamander. Yes, the tree tier 4 dragons are neutral encounters here. Of course, it would have been more useful to find it BEFORE I dispatched all my units. The temple is freed by squad 6 for XIII: Death. We also find an Ice Charm (Ice +5). Masswan is freed by Squad 10 for VI: Lovers.
Karanborg is +17 str and white elemental. A nice sword.
The first enemy squad is a Dragon Master with two gold dragons. Squad 6 fights them. This is followed by a mage with a Tiamat and a black dragon. Then two ravenmen and two devils. Squad 6 manages to hold the line, though they do need a heal all purchased on Bright Rock to keep going. Squad 4 meets a Sylyph with 3 Samurai Masters. They loose, but without any casualties. But that's okay, Squad 6 TP Ks them, and everyone gets a level up for their trouble. Yay. Squad 6 then fights a Red Dragon 2:Electric Boogaloo and 3 Seraph. Mistaffa is freed for V: Hierophant by squad 2.
Since most units are moving on the west side of the map to the temple, may as well enjoy the free road to the boss castle. Squad 7 fights three witches and a cockatrice. Squad 5 meets a princess and 4 paladins (the only enemy princess we have ever seen, I'd like to point out). Thankfully she is NOT the squad leader. Phew! Squad 7 then meets a muse and two wyverns. Squad 9 meets 2 devils and 2 ravenmen. Squad 8 fights a Dragon Master and two gold dragons.
This time, Albeleo has 4 Evil ones with him, and a newfound weakness to black magic that makes sure he will go down when facing demons and a lich. Not much else to say.
Contrary to what he said, Albeleo was never seen or heard from again. Also, "Death or Birth" ? Pretty sure I am already born buddy. Nice attempt at sounding philosophical though.
Anyway, this was our last map. But there's still one update to come! Next time, we go through the other endings of the game!
