Final Fantasy Part 7: Adventures in the West Episode 1--The Earth Cave

Time to explore my surroundings! There are a lot of marshlands on the continent as I head west. Nothing at the northwest tip, I head south and find a cave. Thinking it’s the Earth Cave, I step inside to find someone blocking my path.

Are you that titan I heard about? This must NOT be the Earth Cave but Titan's Tunnel. Unless you are visiting too?

Unable to proceed, I head back and head toward the southern part of the continent. I find what I suspect is the Earth Cave in front of even more marsh (And why is this continent full of ogres and undead?) and walk inside. I’m overwhelmed-where do I go first? I start by walking up and to the left and make my way around. GIANTS attack me, and even though they beat the crap out of me, they also drop 1758G! I can afford those spells in no time. One more step, and another GIANT attacks me. I get the bright idea to have Vic cast SLEP, and it actually works! After clearing him out, I take a third step and out comes another pair of GIANTS! I think this may have been a mistake without healing items. My fears are confirmed as another GIANT critical hits Arek and kills him on the spot. Now once again I run for my life! Thankfully it’s a lot less suspenseful, and I make it out alright. I run right to the white magic shop and purchase LIFE. Time to try out one of the most valuable spells of the game! I also buy FIR3 while I’m at it. Might as well pack a punch too, right? 

With my party recovered and progress saved once again, I backtrack to buy healing items in Coneria and grind in the Earth Cave.

A Spelunking We Will Go

Excuse me, GIANTS? Please speak with the GrOGRES and decide who is the real Jolly Green Giant. There can only be one. Thanks in advance.

Oddly enough, the second trip into the Earth Cave is filled with battles with Earth spirits, asps, and cobras, but no giants. Since I am leveling up, getting money, and have a bag full of healing potions, I explore deeper to find treasure when I encounter another cameo:

Ganon? Is that you? Put your cape and pants back on!

As I explore the depths of the Earth Cave, I accidentally backtrack to the same area and I encounter a problem with the game: the developers did not include a graphic for chests I already opened! In an area with such confusing paths, I wish they had redrawn opened chests for the player's sake!

After grinding for a little while and risking death a few times, I return with lots of money to buy BANE (for some reason, I can't also get WARP. Something is amiss, so I better leave this spot blank for him to learn that spell later.) for Vic and CUR3 and HRM3 for Jule. Now that I have gotten all the spells I want and replenished my healing items in Coneria yet again (sure wish that pesky vampire hadn't taken out the item store), it's time to fight in the Earth Cave for real!

Difficulties abound as enemies slap around and kill Arek early on. Thankfully, Jule saves the day by reviving him with LIFE (For the record, you cannot cast LIFE in battle, ouch!) Once I heal him back up, I run into our villain. Boss time!

Nothing about vanting to suck my blood. Is he really a Vampire?

After taking out the sorry excuse for a vampire (seriously, even Edward of Twilight fame is probably manlier than him), I go for the chest to the left and encounter four wizards who put up more of a fight than the vampire!

A RUBY! If only I could sell it, but I know that titan wants to eat it. If you're wondering why Jule is on point, the wizards I just mentioned killed Arek!

At the very bottom of the cave, I find an odd stone tablet. When I investigate it, I get an evil feeling emanating from it. Should this still be happening considering I just killed the vampire? Unfortunately, this is as far as I can go now, but with my prize in hand, I can move westward. Something tells me I will be back here soon, though. Then the surprise is ruined when I get into a random battle, but I'm not showing you until I come back legit!

Before entering Earth Cave.

After visiting Earth Cave. I'm rich!

Coming next time! Adventures in the West Episode 2!

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