Picking up where we left off...
Go towards the station to see time stop and a blond chick completely confuse Roxas. Follow her to The Woods, where you will be attacked by Dusks, who will chase you to the Sandlot, where Seifer uses the dumbest insult known to man. Now, you get to have another useless fight with a Dusk! Enjoy.
After you fail to hit it for a bit, or it damages you enough, time stops, and you get teleported to the Awakening.
World: Awakening
Yeah, I know it's not a world. I treat it as one. Now, on the Station of Serenity, pick a weapon. This has a very lasting impact. Choose wisely. I usually go with the Dream Rod, and will assume you did the same. Feel free to deviate, though.
Your options are:
Dream Rod: This staff seems mystical, like just holding it will grant you wisdom. Is wisdom important?
Dream Sword: Just looking at this blade seems to give you strength. Is strength important?
Dream Shield: This shield is sturdy. A shield like this could block just about anything. Is protection important?
Once you pick one, the other two vanish, and you acquire the Keyblade again, and must fight off some Dusks. The same strategy applies as when fighting just one. Lock on, Reversal, hit, repeat. Your reward is your first ability, Aerial Recovery. Very useful. The game then explains about leveling up. There is then a treasure chest behind you, containing a potion. Open it with the appropriate reaction command, then the game will explain about items. My advice, hold onto it until the boss that's coming up.
Now, save and walk through the door. You will find yourself on the Station of Calling, three linked stained-glass pillars, inhabited by a number of Dusks, and with a door at the top end. Walk up, fighting all the dusks and opening the treasure chest on the middle pillar. If you need more levels, go back to the Station of Serenity then re-enter the Station of Calling to make all the Dusks respawn. If you advance to level 4 here, you get the ability Scan, which is of debatable usefulness. I find it useful, other people don't. It's up to you. Once you're levelled to your liking, go through the top door to go to a third Station, where you will encounter a fearsome enemy: A Twilight Thorn.
My only commentary on these cutscenes: Roxas is an idiot.
World: Twilight Town
Right, the Struggle tournament. Time to beat up on your friends and foes alike with a foam bat.
First, you need to listen to the rules. It's pretty simple. Hit things. Get orbs. Don't get hit. Have more orbs then opponent. Now, go talk to the referree in the ring.
More cutscenes! You get to watch Seifer fight Vivi. It's pretty anti-climactic. Now, before you enter the ring to start the fight with Vivi, you may want to give yourself some potions (buyable from the shop in Tram Common) or abilities. You can only equip both Guard and Aerial Recovery if you got the 2 AP bonus. When you're ready, enter the ring and talk to the ref.
Once again, time stops. And you know what that means, don't you? Yep. More Dusks. Fortunately, you start with the Keyblade this time.
After you're done, you meet Axel, a guy who looks like the back of his head exploded. Knowing him, it probably did. Guess who you have to fight now?
ORGANIZATION XIII MEMBER: Axel |
VIII: The Flurry of Dancing Flames |
Axel commands the Assassin Nobodies and the element of Fire. He is sarcastic, dry, and has an explosive temper. His weapons are twin chakrams, the ones he uses in KHII are called "Eternal Flame". He has a very laid-back, "go with the flow" outlook on many things, including missions and battles. But he also is shown to have a very kind, heartful side, ironic because he is a Nobody and has no heart. Axel has been shown to have a very typical "Nobody" side to his personality as well, being cold, unforgiving, and merciless. He is one of the best Organization members, if you ask me. |
More cutscenes... Watch them yourself, I'm not gonna describe them. After you regain control, talk to the ref to begin the match with Setzer. Setzer will then ask you to throw the match. You can, if you like, the reward is decent either way. It's easier to win, though.
If you win, you get a champion belt (20% resistance of Fire, Ice, and Lightning), if you lose, you get a medal (1 Strength). More cutscenes, watch them. Standard stuff. Until next time, folks!