Part 6: Anna and the King Antlion

The hovercraft lets us avoid encounters and cross the rocky waters near the coast. The Antlion Cave is just east of Damcyan.



Edward has the Sing, Heal, and Hide Commands. Sing has him use an ability based on what Harp he's using (the current one is Sleep). Heal lets him use a potion but split it up on the whole group (for 15-20HP each in this group of three, it's not terribly useful in larger ones). Hide lets him run away. Awesome.



Rydia does most of the heavy lifting here. Thunder wipes out the Yellow Mousses, while Ice takes care of the lizards. Cecil mops up whatever's left behind. Edward...



The second floor is pretty complicated. It has several side rooms, branches back up to a different part of the first area, and also has the staircase to the third floor.



The Lamia Harp is fairly decent. It doesn't deal much damage, but can sometimes confuse an enemy. Nothing is living long enough for it to have much of an effect in here, though.



The staircase here leads back up to the first floor.



In addition to the Emergency Exit (one-shot Exit item), there's an Ether and a Phoenix Down. The circle lets the group use a Tent before proceeding.



The third and final floor leads to the actual nest.



Edward goes to get the Sand Ruby for Cecil.



It's okay. Antlions are quite tame. They don't attack people. Here, I'll just take the Sand Ruby, like so...

The antlion rewards his naivety by trying to slice him in half.



You didn't think this was going to go right, did you? It IS Edward, after all.

Come on! We have to help him!



The Antlion doesn't hit too hard unless you hit him physically.



If you do then his Counter Horn leaves quite a mark. Edward uses Potions, Rydia summons Chocobos to kick the Antlion in the face, and Cecil cuts it to pieces.



Monsters have been rapidly multiplying recently, and their behavior has changed as well. I can't help but feel this is some kind of sign...

Come on, let's go heal Rosa!

Right! Let's go!



The shoals west of Damcyan let us get back to Kaipo without reentering the Waterway.



Cecil uses the Sand Ruby on Rosa.



Cecil! You're alive! Thank goodness!

How are you feeling?

I'm fine. But I thought I'd lost you. They told me you died in the earthquake at Mist.

I'm sorry you had to worry about me... Rosa, who is Golbez?

He's the new captain of the Red Wings, appointed by the King himself. The King has been acting... strangely. I think Golbez is using him to collect the Crystals for himself.



Golbez already has the Fire Crystal.

I'm sorry, this is Edward, the Prince of Damcyan, and Rydia, a Summoner from Mist. I wouldn't have been able to cure you without their help.

Hello.

Hello, Rydia. Thank you both so much. If Damcyan has fallen, Fabul must be their next target. We must... *cough cough*

You have to rest. Don't worry, we'll go to Fabul.



Rydia, can you cast Fire?

...No.

Fire is the most elementary Black Magic spell. As a Summoner, you... *cough cough*

Rosa, stop! You're not coming with us like this!

I'll be alright, really. As a White Mage, I promise I won't be a burden.

Rosa just wants to be with you, Cecil.



Rosa then joins our party. The party rests in Kaipo for the night to give Rosa and everyone else a chance to rest.



The night is not uneventful, however...



Next time, we tackle Mount Hobs.

BONUS!
Edward's "song" is the same tune Noah's Lute plays in Final Fantasy III. Neato.