Latheon Gorge is southeast of the Ymir Forest, directly over the mountain range from the area's House of Guidance. Inside, the party witnesses several plants blowing gusts of air and more, appearing dead. It's speculated that feeding special fruits to these plants will allow them to either flourish, blowing air, or wilt, and become lifeless. This forms the often-frustrating premise behind the dungeon. At the first fork, grab the Ex Gem Lv4 chest to the north, then activate the Sorcerer's Ring altar to the southeast. This new effect encloses the group in a greenish bubble, allowing them to be blown around by the flowers. To the northeast is another chest containing Rare Pellets.
New Monsters at the Latheon Gorge: Spiked Snail, Poison Lily, Deathseeker, Sea Dragon, Sheldra, Crush Tortoise
Many of the monsters in the Latheon Gorge are weak against lightning, so
equipping Lloyd with the Shiden, Sheena with the Card of Lightning, and
Zelos with the Lightning Sword, or the accessory Sardonyx can be
advantageous here. Also, keep Raine handy and the Omelet recipe ready as
poison and magical effects are common during battles.
Since we lost the Thoda Geyser dungeon and the Octoslimes with it, the Sea Dragon monsters in the Gorge have become the best spot in the game to obtain the Mermaid's Tear. Colette can pilfer, and they also drop, the customization item frequently.
From the Rare Pellets chest, climb the hill and, in front of the plant, having to time it just right, use the Sorcerer's Ring to encase yourself in the bubble and let the flower's gust blow you to the opposite side. Climb the nearby hill around to a tree bearing fruit. Examine it to obtain the Kirima food item; of which you can infinitely supply yourself with. This can be fed to wilted flowers to return to life, but more importantly, outside the dungeon, this is a great way to inexpensively cook the Fruit Cocktail recipe. Return down the hill and feed the Kirima to the wilted flower, then allow yourself to be blown to the southern end of the screen. Follow the linear path east and across the bridge.
After the bridge, continue east and down into a small alcove to find a treasure with an EX Gem Lv3 inside.
Climbing the hill on the northern-side of the screen, the party will find a fruit tree that provides the Amango food item. Fed to a living plant, this will cause it to wilt and die and no longer produce air. Fill your inventory with it, then exit to the northeast.
You'll land upon a small island. Revive the dead flower with Kirima and have it blow you north, past the waterfall. Crack open the chest to your left for the unique Star Cap helmet, that provides protection against fire-based damage, and is the best helmet in the game for either Genis or Regal. I, personally, replaced Regal's Headband with this and kept Genis with the Rune Hat. Use the plants to guide yourself to the lower-right of the screen for another chest containing the one-of-a-kind Rare Shield for Zelos. It has a +3 Defense over the Rune Shield, and also protects against water-based damage, but I think the +10 Intelligence of the Rune Shield trumps these additions, but you decide for yourself. Blowing further south, you'll arrive back near a hill that ascends to the Devil's Arm chest earlier. Return back north and to the screen where you fell.
Using the eastern hill, give life to the wilted flower to the north with Kirima, then blow westward via the lower plant. Use the nearby plant to move to the northern-end of the screen. Open the chest for the unique Flare Greaves weapon for Regal, then look for another chest with the Toroid weapon for Colette to the east, near a tree. Revive the dead plant on the hill with Kirima, then blow back to the opposite end. There, use the blue-faced, large plant at the summit to blow you to the far-west.
Having returned, use the flower on the lower-right hill to extend over to a ledge to the northwest. Feed the right-sided flower an Amango to destroy it, then proceed to float back south. Use another Amango on the lower-right flower you just used, then use Kirima to give life to the other plant on the lower-left hill; this one will blow you across to the northeast. Revive the flower with Kirima in the above screenshot, then use the top-sided flower to send you further up.
Ascending the large hill, there are two flowers on either side of the bridge: provide them both Kirima. Then, using the right-sided flower, you'll float yourself to the top of the waterfall, which will result in the drop of a huge boulder into the water; splitting the waterfall in half. With that done, enter the Storyteller's house by the save point.
Before the cave entrance to the boss, there's an extremely well-hidden sealed save point. In fact, even though I've played this game a countless amount of times, I just now discovered and unsealed it during this play! Just goes to show there can always something new to find. The upcoming boss isn't difficult at all, but if you want to fully prepare, bring a party of Lloyd, Genis, Zelos, and Regal. Equip Lloyd with the Garnet accessory, Zelos the Flame Dagger, and Regal with his newly-found Flare Greaves, as the boss is very weak against fire. For an even bigger advantage, you can have Regal/Genis cook your new Pescatore recipe to enhance Genis' magic.
It turns out a giant plant, known as the Plantix, is growing alongside the Mana Leaf Herb. With its weakness to fire, if you're not under-leveled, the Plantix is hardly a challenge at all. Have Genis bombard the plant, watching for the boss to potentially interrupt him from long-range with its roots, with Explosion/Spiral Flare or Flame Lance/Eruption for large damage while your character's fire-based weapons contribute to the blaze. If you brought Sheena, she can enchant fire to weapons with S. Seal: Fire, also. Defend and heal adequately and Plantix will go back to being fertilizer with ease. I wonder what would happen if you stuffed a Amango down its gullet like a grenade? Anyway, upon defeat you will receive a coveted Blue Sephira accessory that you, hopefully, already have one of. You'll then obtain the Mana Leaf Herb item.
Before we can enter the Tower of Salvation to look for the last material, a Mana Fragment, we first need to pick up Zelos' Cruxis Crystal held by his sister, Seles. Back out on the world map, new skits are available. They are: "Sheena the Evil Witch", "Zelos Depressed", and "Zelos' Sister". Seles' Abbey is on a small island, that contains a dock, to the southeast of the Toize Valley Mine. Note that you can consistently encounter Bacuras on the roads outside of the Abbey, if need be.
Inside the SE Abbey, the two nuns (?) outside count as "hunnies" for Zelos, so let him defy all that is sacred and try to pick them up! There should now be only two "hunies" for Zelos remaining in the entire game! On the Abbey's top floor, Seles, trying to disguise her true feelings for her brother, rudely receives the group, turns over the Cruxis Crystal, and asks you to leave. Outside, Zelos explains that Seles has been sick her entire life, but is obviously hiding another piece of the story. When the meeting is over, look for the skit "Your Sister Hates You?" and return to the world map.
Zelos' "Hunny" Count at the SE Abbey: 2
Make a short trip back to Sylvarant and fly to the remains of the Palmacosta Human Ranch. On the right-side of the ruins, if you already saw him in Hima and the Fooji Mountains, Yuan is here continuing his search for the ring he lost. Lloyd will hand him the Assassin's Ring (It stays in your inventory, however) and it's insinuated that perhaps Yuan and Martel were married, or engaged to be, but he's not talking. Unfortunately, these scenes are just for story and have no influence on anything.
Presea's Dream Traveler costume. Wearing it around Altamira, Presea can receive different reactions from the people of the city. On the world map, there will be a new skit: "Klonoa?" to view, as well.
Zelos' Masked Swordsman costume.
Enter the Gaoracchia Forest from either the Ozette or Mizuho side to confront the Pope. He blathers about how he is the rightful king since he was the bastard son of the previous king. Instead of the usual armored Cardinal Knights, the Pope sends some basic thugs, 2 Duelists and a Heavy Armor, against you that are easily dispatched. The Pope arrested, and Princess Hilda saved, Zelos' affection with Lloyd is boosted and he receives the title of Princess Guard (Str: 40%, Def: 20%). In Meltokio, Zelos asks the King to repeal the anti-half-elf laws the Pope put into place and work to foster a country that doesn't discriminate against them, which both he and Zelos hope will happen in time. In reward for rescuing Princess Hilda, a party will be held in our honor and custom outfits will be tailored for each member and sent to Sebastian when done.
After the events, a new skit will appear on the world map: "All Guys are the Same!". From there, onward to the Tower of Salvation that is southeast of Sybak. A fairly difficult boss will be upcoming. In preparation, I suggest equipping Lloyd with a Thunder Cape and Stun Charm for light/thunder defense, but don't use the Sardonyx or Topaz accessories. Zelos should switch back to the Beam Shield and, if like me, Colette has the Rune Guard equipped, switch it with Presea's Solar Guard unless you are taking Presea into the battle. Other characters will have to rely upon Stun Charms for their light defense and, though not totally necessary, if you want to be fully prepared, a Paralysis Charm on any close-range fighters for lightning defense. Have Regal/Sheena cook Seafood Stew beforehand, also.
Inside the Tower of Salvation, Zelos will use his Cruxis Crystal to form the stairs and open the door leading inward; providing a shaky, unnerving laugh to the rest of the party. Not suspicious at all. The group finds that the interior looks exactly like Sylvarant's Tower of Salvation; circling rows of former Chosen coffins and all. Raine points out that the pillar Yggdrasill threw Lloyd into is broken here, as well.
Well, Lloyd wanted it, so Kratos isn't holding back this time. He's strong against both thunder and light-based attacks, so bear this in mind. Hopefully, you brought, at least, some light defense or this may get ugly. Kratos can cast Colette's Judgment spell, and with little-to-no delay. Anyone that happens to be caught with one of the light pillars is going to be in need of immediate healing. If you're lucky, standing still can sometimes spare your controlled character of being hit, but it's entirely random. I would advise to save your Unison Attack, wait for him to enter his casting animation for Judgment, then activate your Unison Attack to knock him out of it; this will save you at least once. Other than Judgment, Kratos will be bombarding your melee fights with combos of Lightning Blade, followed immediately with Super Lighting Blade; which, hopefully, your main fighter has the Thunder Cape equipped to reduce some of the damage. Use Guard Bottles on your close-range fighters, defend Kratos' combos efficiently, avoiding Judgment, and keeping yourself healed are the keys to victory. Kratos will provide you some Energy Tablets and an EX Gem Lv4 upon winning.
Out in Welgaia, look for new skits: "Dolls", "Strange City", and "Angels Without Soul". Also, don't bother trying to proposition any of the female angels with Zelos: they aren't interested in any of you "inferior" beings.
Enter the apartment-like building to the upper-right, then use the door to your left on the first floor. Inside is a Devil's Arm chest with Regal's version, Apocalypse. To note: the Apocalypse weapon is not missable and Welgaia will be available again later. The rest of the floors are vacant besides NPC angels you can speak with.
New Monsters in the Tower of Salvation (Emergency Route): Cybit, Hammer Knuckle, Murder, Perfect Murder
There are four new, robotic monsters to be found in the emergency route, with three of the four being weak against lightning. Therefor, equipping the Sardonyx accessory, Lloyd's Shiden, Sheena's Card of Lightning, and Zelos' Lightning Sword again will make battles go quicker. These four are also totally unique to this dungeon, and will not be available later on, so take care of their Monster List entries before you complete the dungeon. The Murder and Perfect Murders enemies Colette can steal, and they also will drop, the very rare Metal Sphere and Mythril material items. If you're a player that likes to maximize their items, this is the only place in the entire game you can find these other than trading in your Grade for them. The Hammer Knuckle also carry Brass to steal and drop, to note, but you can get these in other dungeons.
Note: The emergency route is a one-time dungeon! You can never return here, so it's advised you be vigilant in opening every treasure chest. Also, the monster icons are extremely quick, so Lloyd's Personal Lv 2 EX Skill is recommended.
From the entrance portal, descend the stairs past the save point. Continue a little west, looking to the bottom of the screen for a chest containing an EX Gem Lv 3, then, follow the lower-left path that will take you down a flight of stairs.
When the room widens out, open the door to your right and the party will find themselves out in an airlock, weightless from a lack of Gnome's power. After some clowning around from Zelos, three new skits will then become available to view. They are: "Looking at the Stars", "Empty, Silent World", and "Weightless".
Back out from the weightless room, a red gate to the lower-right has been removed allowing access to a treasure chest with a Rare Guard armor for Colette/Presea. I switched this with Presea's Solar Guard, but an argument could be made for keeping it with its light/fire defense. Colette still retains the Rune Guard, for me.
Continue south, past the Holy Robe chest, and down the set of stairs. On this level, follow the path north, then toward the west to an open room. There's a shut gate to your north to remember, so continue west and you'll spot another chest containing an EX Gem Lv3 to the side. Proceed up the stairs to the northwest.
At the top of the stairs, turn west and through the opening; further west and down more stairs. Here, there are two passages that lead south to chests in the large room. They contain the one-of-a-kind Nagazuki armor for Sheena only and light elemental Laser Blade weapon for Zelos. For Sheena, I equipped her with the Nagazuki despite losing the Intelligence bonus of the Rune Robe, but you decide for yourself which you would prefer. Further to the northwest is another switch that will lower the blue shutters that have been obstructing the passageways.
Okay, so, make your way back to the weightless, puzzle room on the lower-west-side of the dungeon. This time move: right, down, left, up, left, up, left, down, left, up, left, down, left, down, right, up, then ascend the lift and you'll be in the room seen in the above screenshot. Here, proceed: right, down, left, down, right, up, left, up, right, up, right, down, right, down, right, up, left, and then up to enter the door.
You're now located in the last weightless room seen above. To finish, proceed: left, up, right, up, right, down, right, down, left, down, left, up, left, down, left, up, right, down, right, up, then right and through the door.
With the Elevator Key, we're ready to blow this joint. Make absolutely sure you've got all of the treasures thus far and completed the Monster List entries for the four unique monsters here. To locate the elevator, return to the weightless room and ascend the previous lift, but instead of using the next one to your right, move over to it, then up, and left through the door. Climb the northwest stairs, then when the room opens out, use the lower-right exit. The elevator is just to your north, guarded by a monster icon. Examine the panel to the elevator's left-side to unlock it.
The group eyes the gleaming Eternal Sword, resting unguarded, and Lloyd foolishly tries to take it. Yggrasill appears and taunts their efforts: no one without a pact with Origin can touch it and Kratos has Origin sealed away. Without the Eternal Sword, the party's efforts are wasted according to the Cruxis leader, but Lloyd is steadfast in his resolve. Yggrasill goes on to explain that the true purpose of splitting the two worlds is to deny the chance for one world to flourish enough that it can obtain advanced magitechnology and thus wage war again like the ancient Kharlan War. He believes that this continual battle for mana has saved the two worlds from its own destruction.
This isn't the end of his vision, however, and he has put into place the use of Exspheres to dilute the blood of the world's population, turning them into lifeless, angel-like beings, but equal and free from discrimination. He begins to sway Genis with his talk about the end of the half-elves persecution, but Lloyd snaps him out of it by reminding him of the lives that are sacrificed from the production of Exspheres.
In control, attempt to approach the Eternal Sword to activate the skit "Eternal Sword and the Right". Hang around a bit and another skit called "Genis Disturbed" will occur, as well. Upon exiting the Tower, you will automatically be taken to Altessa's House.