Next stop: Eblan. First, let's check out the Cave of Eblan. It's one of the very few dungeons from earlier in the story that falling meteors hasn't caused to cave in, so we may as well take a look. There's a person in the Path to the Tower of Babil, there is a person who will trade Small Tails for any other Tail in the game. We'll come back here later. Near the end we find a Kotetsu, which means Edge is now even more powerful.
When we get close to the Tower of Babil, the place starts to glow pink.
Rydia: This glow... It's the same as Baron Castle!
Edge: If it's the same as what the Tower of Babil once emitted, then...!
He tries to enter and gets thrown back.
Rydia: Edge!
Edge: Ugh... That didn't do anything...
Luca: Are you trying to get yourself killed!?
Golbez: This would be the interdimensional elevator, I believe.
Edge: The device that connects the Tower of Babil to the moon!?
Luca: They're going to use it to transport the Crystals up there!
Edge: Dammit!
Rydia: We need to find another way in there!
A monster appears behind us.
Golbez: Looks like they've got other plans for us.
Edge: Time to fight back!
The Marquis Malboro is not that hard. Most of us can dodge Bad Breath somehow and magic does quite a bit of damage to him. He can cast Reflect, but we have Quake and Sylph if need be.
It drops a Kiku-ichimonji. We can also loot the last chest for a Black Cowl. Edge gets a very good equipment draw in this tale. Now let's get outta here. Rydia learns Thundaga on the way out.
We head to the castle now. It's on fire!
Soldier: Master!
Soldier: You're back! And safe!
Edge: The castle's on fire!
Rydia: Ifrit!
Edge: What is happening here? Even Eblan has fallen into chaos!
We can get in, but the way to the main chambers are blocked by fire.
Edge: Gah! It's too hot to run through!
Rydia: Wait... This fire wasn't conjured by Ifrit's magic...
Well, let's try the east tower. We can get in, but as soon as we do, Ifrit shows up.
Edge: Here we go!
Rydia: Ifrit! Please, you've got to come to your senses!
We can't win. We just have to run. Well, time to loot the place. There are random battles here and Ifrit will sometimes show up just to be a dick.
On the second floor we find a Melt Golem. Powerful, but cripplingly weak to ice. Defeating it causes some of the flames blocking the main chambers to disappear.
We head to the west tower next. Another Melt Golem is in Edge's Bedchamber. Falls as easily as the first. We can now get inside the main part of the castle. We also find a Small Tail in one of the vases.
We head inside, use the Save Point, and head for the throne.
Seneschal: Your Young Highness!
Edge: Seneschal, damage report!
Seneschal: We've already evacuated all the women and children! I'm afraid our castle can't hold out for much longer, though!
The room shakes.
Rydia: Here he comes!
Edge: Hmph! Leave that guy to me!
Rydia: That's suicide!
Edge: There's no other way! All of you, evacuate the castle in the meantime!
He runs out.
Rydia: Edge!
Outside, Edge stands on the centre tower.
Edge: Come on, Ifrit! I'm not hiding from you anymore! Not this time!
Ifrit attacks. We mainly have to stay healed until he uses Hellfire. It K Os Edge.
Edge: So this is the end... Rydia... did you make it out?
???: Come, now. You call that skill?
Rubicante appears before us.
Edge: You...
He attacks us.
Edge: Rubicante!
Rubicante: So this is the man who managed to withstand my fire?
Edge: What?
???: Edge!
Rydia joins the fight.
Edge: Rydia! I told you to run!
Rydia: You expected me to listen?
Edge: Heh. It's your funeral.
More scripted fighting. Also for whatever reason, Rydia's in the front row. Well, anyway, after a few turns...
Rubicante: What's the matter? Have you been defanged?
A few more turns...
Rubicante: Is that all the spirit you've got?
Edge: Stop it!
Rubicante: Now, recall it! The true flame which has been etched into you!
He uses Inferno on us, defeating us.
Edge: What was that? That's it! The blast from an explosion will quell the flames... An eye for an eye!
Rydia: So... fire against fire?
Edge: You got it!
We learn the Inferno Band. Rydia and Edge deal strong fire damage to the whole party.
The two jump down.
Edge: I'm ready for you now, Ifrit! Let's go!
Ifrit attacks us again.
Edge: Hah!!!
The two use Inferno.
Ifrit: !!!
Edge: Surprised? You're not the only one who wields fire.
Luca: Wait a minute! You haven't forgotten about us, have you?
Luca and Golbez join us.
Edge: Heh. Well, whatever. Let's go!
We go all out. Blizzaga from our two mages, attacks from Edge, and Big Throw from Luca. Ifrit can hit hard, but so do we. After a while...
Ifrit: Rydi...a?
Rydia: Ifrit! You're back!
Battle over. Rydia gets Ifrit. That's two down.
Rydia: Thank heavens you're back, Ifrit...
She turns to Edge.
Rydia: Have you gone mad!? Challenging an Eidolon by yourself?
Edge: Not by myself. (I hate to admit it... but you saved my life, Rubicante.)
Well, back to Baron.
Cecil: What's this? Do you seriously intend to cross swords with me?
Kain: If you wish for it.
Ceodore: Kain!
Cecil: And this is the man you've placed your trust in, Ceodore? Over your own flesh and blood?
Ceodore: !
Kain: Stay behind me, Ceodore.
Cecil: Ceodore...
We see the moon getting closer.
Cecil: I await your answer, Ceodore.
Kain: Cecil!!!
Kain starts to fight Cecil solo. Cecil doesn't even try to fight back.
Cecil: What's wrong, Kain? Are you being serious!?
He attacks and knocks down Kain in one hit. We then return to Eblan. The fires are out, and we can now find more treasure. We find, among other things, a Boltslicer, which could be nice if we're fighting something weak to thunder, but is weaker than Edge's current weapons. Stores are open but no improvements.
Next time, another Eidolon.
Stats:
Luca: Lv 43 HP:2465 MP:112 Strength:62 Speed:23 Stamina:57 Intellect:5 Spirit:5 Attack:109 (9x79% Accuracy) Defence:70 (4x32% Evasion) Magic Defence:7 (0x7% Evasion)
Rydia: Lv 43 HP:1706 MP:448 Strength:27 Speed:22 Stamina:21 Intellect:48 Spirit:42 Attack:61 (5x85% Accuracy) Defence:38 (2x34% Evasion) Magic Defence:11 (2x22% Evasion)
Edge: Lv 43 HP:2491 MP:188 Strength:61 Speed:40 Stamina:48 Intellect:27 Spirit:23 Attack:139 (10x99% Accuracy) Defence:49 (5x44% Evasion) Magic Defence:4 (2x9% Evasion)
Golbez: Lv 47 HP:2971 MP:372 Strength:48 Speed:29 Stamina:67 Intellect:46 Spirit:36 Attack:128 (8x99% Accuracy) Defence:72 (5x34% Evasion) Magic Defence:14 (2x21% Evasion)
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