In this episode of FFIV, Cecil and the others descend into the Underworld of the land to seek the Dark Crystals. We encounter an old friend and defeat some enemies! We also say 'lali-ho!' to the Dwarves, which would make a really harsh drinking game if you had to drink to each and every lali-ho.

So we start off in Cecil's bedchamber. The game doesn't really give you many hints as to where to go, and you're expected to ask around to find out that Agart is the place to go. Thankfully, I already visited Agart and found out about their Dwarven ancestry, earthquakes and general weirdness. Yup, definitely the place to go.

Sure enough, we visit Agart's big ol' well.


As is typical for Agart, weirdness happens.



You and me both, Cecil, you and me both.

Turns out the magma stone plot coupon we were just given has an effect in Agart, causing a surprisingly dramatic event to take place.



So uh... yeah apparently the magma stone causes a massive hole in the world. Seems legit.

We fly our Enterprise through the big hole and enter into another world: the Underground. It's pretty hot, just like the weather today.

Because we have the worst luck, we find outselves in the middle of a pitched battle.


Turns out Golbez couldn't wait to venture down beneath the land. But those tanks? They're new to me!

Anyway, because Cid is the worst pilot ever, he guides us right in the middle of this pitched battle. This goes about as well as you'd expect.



Well gee, I wonder why that is.

Anyway, we crash-land, thankfully not in the lava. Suffering from the intense heat, we work our way towards the only settlement in the area. I am shocked how Kain can even survive in full armour.



At least her stripperific outfit keeps her cool, I guess.

Anyway, we enter the castle. Look who it is, guys! DRINK!



And how. To save on screenshots I didn't screenshot every lali-ho but just play through this section to a lali-ho drinking game, talking to everyone, and tell me you won't get smashed by the time you leave.

We talk to the Dwarven King, who's pleased that we aren't currently ashes in the lava sea.



We ask for an update on the Dark Crystals. Sadly, Golbez already has two of them, one is right here and the other is in a place literally called the Sealed Cave. The Dwarves love those practical, straight-to-the-point names.



The King asks for Cid's airship to aid in the defence, so Cid leaves us to plate the Enterprise with mythril to protect against heat. So we're down to four once more.

Meanwhile, we enter the Crystal Chamber upon hearing a strange noise. Turns out somebody is spying on us!

As it happens, the super-secret hiding spot isn't so secure because the spy was already in the Crystal Chamber. Whoops. Doesn't anybody post guards in these rooms anymore?



Turns out creepy dolls are involved. Which I could guess from Chekov's statement as we entered the foyer before meeting the King:



Goddamn it, Luca.

Anyway, we fight the dolls. They have this very annoying strategy of merging to form one big doll which actually packs a pretty big punch, but the fight is more of a slog than anything else. Having Protect and Slow up at all times was a huge help. Kain basically stayed out of trouble by jumping all the time.

In the end, the dolls are defeated but not before letting Golbez know where we are. As if on cue, look who turns up, bringing all the sass with him.



Daaaayuum.

Golbez proceeds to do that thing only villains seem to do, which is show up and reveal their evil plan for the evulz.

He needs all the crystals, obviously. But to what end?



The moon has incredible power, and he wants it. As evil plans goes it seems simple enough. But we're here to stop him! Right guys?



Oh.

Well turns out the fight was unwinnable, so that's alright. Golbez continues to gloat as he downs the team. But look who's here to save the day?

It's Rydia! Well, actually, it's Adult!Rydia now. For some reason. I'm sure we'll find out. She proceeds to lay the beatdown on Golbez with just a little help from her friends.



I've got to say, the summon animations seem really cool. I'm impressed. Also this is the first time I have Ramuh as a summon in the FF series, so hello to him!

The fight is over, and Golbez is seemingly finished. Rydia stands with us. It's obviously we've got some catching up to do.



Tune out next time as we end on this cliffhanger. In the next episode, we finish up our reunion with Rydia, recieve some new instructions from the Dwarven King, and proceed to ignore them in favour of roaming the castle for goodies. You'll be surprised what's lurking in the castle!

Next episode will be tomorrow as I already have all the pictures ready. See you soon!