Embrace Your Dreams

Shinra Building

After the cutscenes speak with your pal Kunsel (in the purple uniform) by the door. Check your e-mail like he instructs and then tell him you've read all the tutorials. Then follow him into the next room. Talk to him again and register at the terminal. Next you'll perform your first mission - just fight through the wave of enemies to clear it and get an Elixir.

Next you'll be taught about supply pods. Upon first examination you'll receive a Bronze Bangle - don't forget to equip it. If you're so inclined you can examine the pod 20 more times to receive a Cursed Ring from the annoyed Kunsel. Tip: The Cursed Ring prevents your DMW from working so you won't level up or get limits. You do get a nice addition to your stats though.

When you're done prepping check your mail one more time, save, and talk to Angeal.

Mt. Tamblin

First you'll have to fight along the mountain path through several groups of Wutai Privates. They're relatively easy. After some fighting and a few cutscenes you'll reach a save point. Use it and move on to the next area.

After the scene with Angeal it's time to get down to business. You'll have to fight through several waves of Privates and a few Sergeants. Fight until you've got it down to the three Privates atop the battlements. Use your Fire spell to knock them out. Tip: You have to be close to the middle of the open area to hit them - too far back and you'll miss.

Once inside your job is to take out as many enemy groups as possible. There are 16 possible battles. You don't have to fight them all unless you're going for the best item - the Fire Armlet. Follow these instructions to find all the encounters:

The first battle (1) happens automatically before the phone call. The second battle is a ground encounter (2) immediately to your left. Note the tower - you'll come back to it. Grab the chest for a Soma. Then go north through the hallway. Note the secret door (between two pedestals). You have to open it from the other side. As you go through the hallway and around the corner you'll have two more ground encounters (3,4).

When you pass the opposite side of the secret door you'll have a ground encounter (5). After the battle examine the door again for another encounter (6). As you round the next corner get the chest for a Potion. The third chest triggers another battle (7). You'll have two more battles (8,9) as you work your way to the south-east corner and the second tower. Examine the tower for another battle (10). The chest behind this tower contains a Hi-Potion. Go into the corner alcove to fight another battle (11). The chest here contains an Ether. Examine the secret door for battle (12).

Now it's time to backtrack to the first south-west tower for another battle (13). Return to the south-east tower and proceed north. You'll get shot at and have the option to find another way or Charge!. Obviously you fight the battle (14). Don't forget to examine the last revolving door for another battle (15). Your last encounter (16) will happen as you approach the door into the next area. The last chest here contains an Ether.

Here's the item you'll get from Lazard after the mission depending on how many battles you fought:

Enter the courtyard. You'll battle a few encounters here but the goal is to get down to the lower level and the save point. There's a chest in the stairwell to your left that contains a Hi-Potion. The right stairwell holds Earrings Tip: Equip them.

Save your game and examine the Leviathan statue to trigger a fight with some Crescent Unit soldiers. Then approach the stairs for a blast from the past . . . er, future.

After fending off the pint sized pipsqueak save your game and go through the door at the top of the stairs.

These two are at their most dangerous when together. Their Twin Tomahawk is particularly nasty. Focus on eliminating one and then the other. You'll want to do a lot of evading to get around behind them and to avoid the swings of their nasty fists.

Once those two are finished watch the cutscene and you'll end up with Angeal in the woods. Lazard will show up and give you your reward. (You're treated to a funny little bit if you got all 16 battles). Then fight off the new attackers. After you've escorted Lazard to safety turn around. Make sure you've equipped the Fire Armlet and probably your HP Up materia and save your game. Then press forward.

Ifrit can be quite a beast to defeat, especially if you don't have the Fire Armlet (which halves fire damage). You'll want to keep careful watch on your HP - don't let it get below 350 or Hellfire can take you out in one hit. Ifrit will defy all attempts to get behind him. If you're up close he will also stop your casting ability by constantly hitting you. If you're going the Blizzard route stay back a ways. If you'd rather just pound him get in close and chain attack like mad. If you can manage it you should try to Guard when you see Hellfire pop up, but it won't work if you're in the middle of an attack when he casts. Mostly keep a good watch on your HP and don't let up in your pounding and Ifrit will fall.

After your "hero" rescues you you'll get a brief cutscene and a chance to save before starting chapter 2.