FF WalkthroughThis chapter contains TWO permanently missable locations. You must complete Paul's house in Fynn (8 chests including the BLOOD SWORD) BEFORE entering the Cyclone. The Cyclone itself is a one-time dungeon with 7 missable chests. Once you enter the Cyclone, Paul's house chests become inaccessible forever!
The Empire has unleashed its most devastating weapon yet - a massive Cyclone that tears across the world, destroying everything in its path. The rebellion's only hope is to infiltrate the storm and confront Emperor Mateus directly. But first, there are critical preparations to make.
Paul's House - The Blood Sword
Return to Castle Fynn and speak with Princess Hilda. She reveals dire news: the Emperor has summoned a massive Cyclone that is laying waste to towns across the world. Hilda teaches you the password Cyclone. The situation seems hopeless - but then you remember the Pendant and the Wyvern Egg you placed in the Life Spring.
Once you enter the Cyclone, Paul's house becomes permanently inaccessible. You MUST visit Paul's house in Fynn and collect all 8 chests FIRST. One of these chests contains the BLOOD SWORD - a critical weapon for defeating the final bosses of the game!
Before doing anything else, travel to Fynn (the town, not the castle) and find Paul's house. Paul is the master thief you've encountered throughout your journey. Enter his house and look for the bed in the back room - there's a secret passage hidden behind the bed. Walk directly into the wall behind the bed to reveal a hidden room.
The secret room contains 8 treasure chests:
- Ether
- Cottage
- Elixir
- Phoenix Down
- Hi-Potion
- Eye Drops
- Antidote
- Blood Sword - CRITICAL for final bosses
The Blood Sword drains HP from enemies with each hit. This weapon is CRITICAL for defeating the final bosses of the game. Without it, the end-game fights become exponentially harder. The Blood Sword bypasses the Emperor's defenses and healing - it is your ultimate weapon against him.
With all 8 chests collected and the Blood Sword secured, equip it on Firion immediately. Now you're ready to enter the Cyclone.
The Wyvern and the Cyclone
Make your way to the room where you previously found the Mirror. Examine the mirror while holding the Pendant. Something magical happens - the Wyvern Egg that you placed in the Life Spring begins to hatch! A beautiful newborn Wyvern emerges from the mystical energy. The creature immediately recognizes Ricard - the last Dragoon - and bonds with him. The wyvern race lives on, and with it, the legacy of the Dragoons.
The Wyvern offers to fly your party into the heart of the Cyclone - your only way to reach the Emperor. Accept its offer and soar through the raging storm toward the Emperor's location.
The Cyclone is a one-time location. Once you defeat the Emperor and escape, you can never return. All 7 treasure chests inside are permanently missable. Collect everything before confronting the Emperor!
The Cyclone is a 7-floor dungeon suspended within the raging storm with 7 missable treasure chests and dangerous electricity panels that deal damage when stepped on.
Enemy encounters:
- General - powerful Imperial commander
- Wood Golem - weak to Fire, appears with the Emperor
- Royal Guard - elite soldiers in boss fights
- Thunder Gigas - extremely dangerous lightning attacks
- Black Knight - high defense
- Sorcerer - powerful offensive magic
- Bomb - self-destructs when low on HP
The Eyemoeba enemy only appears in the Cyclone. If you're aiming for 100% bestiary completion, make sure to encounter this enemy before defeating the Emperor. Once the Cyclone is destroyed, Eyemoeba cannot be fought again.
Cyclone Dungeon
Floors 1-3: Lower Cyclone
On the first floor, watch out for the electricity panels - stepping on them deals damage to your party. Navigate to the northwest room for the Diamond Cuirass, excellent armor that should be equipped immediately. The stairs to 2F are in the eastern section.
The second floor continues the maze-like structure with more electric panels. Head to the east chamber for the Diamond Helm, then find the stairs to 3F in the southwest. On the third floor, look for a hidden alcove on the western side - walk through what appears to be a solid wall to find the Diamond Shield. The Cyclone has several hidden passages, so if an area seems inaccessible, try walking through walls. Proceed to 4F via the northeast stairs.
Floors 4-5: Mid Cyclone
The fourth floor has more dangerous encounters - watch for Thunder Gigas with devastating lightning attacks. Navigate the west passage for the Diamond Gloves. You now have a complete Diamond set for maximum defense. On the fifth floor, head to the north chamber for the Ripper, an excellent knife for high-agility characters.
Diamond equipment pickups:
- Diamond Cuirass (1F northwest room)
- Diamond Helm (2F east chamber)
- Diamond Shield (3F hidden alcove)
- Diamond Gloves (4F west passage)
Floors 6-7: Emperor's Domain
The sixth floor brings you closer to the Emperor. Navigate to the east room for the Venom Axe, which can inflict Poison. The final stairs to 7F await - prepare your party before ascending. On the top floor, grab the Defender (a powerful sword with high defensive bonuses) in the chamber before the throne room.
Weapon pickups:
- Ripper (5F north chamber) - excellent knife for high-agility characters
- Venom Axe (6F east room) - can inflict Poison
- Defender (7F before throne room) - high defensive bonuses
Before confronting the Emperor, make sure you have collected all 7 treasure chests in the Cyclone, the Blood Sword equipped on Firion, full HP and MP on all party members, and encountered the Eyemoeba if going for 100% bestiary.
Boss: Emperor Mateus
Enter the Emperor's throne room. Emperor Mateus awaits on his throne, surrounded by his Royal Guards. This is a multi-phase battle that requires careful strategy.
Phase 1: 2x Royal Guard (HP: 870 each)
Phase 2: 3x Royal Guard (HP: 870 each)
Phase 3: Emperor (HP: 3000), Wood Golem (HP: 1620), 2x Royal Guard (HP: 870 each)
Emperor's Abilities:
- Slow XVI - reduces your party's speed dramatically
- Haste XVI - increases his own speed
- Elixir - fully restores his HP when damaged
- Barrier XVI - blocks all elemental and status attacks
CRITICAL STRATEGY: The Emperor uses Barrier to become immune to elemental magic and status effects. His Elixir healing makes magic damage nearly useless. You MUST use physical attacks only against the Emperor. The Blood Sword is your key to victory - it drains HP and ignores his defensive buffs!
Phase 1: Royal Guard Vanguard
The battle begins with 2 Royal Guards (870 HP each). Focus fire on one at a time to reduce incoming damage quickly.
Phase 2: Royal Guard Reinforcements
After defeating the first wave, 3 more Royal Guards appear - use the same strategy of focusing fire on one at a time.
Phase 3: Emperor Mateus
Finally, Emperor Mateus himself enters battle, accompanied by a Wood Golem (weak to Fire) and 2 more Royal Guards.
Strategy for the final phase:
- Destroy the Wood Golem first with Firaga to remove a significant damage source
- Ignore the Royal Guards and focus entirely on the Emperor
- Use physical attacks ONLY - his Barrier blocks all magic
- Have Firion attack with the Blood Sword every turn
- Cast Haste on your attackers for more damage output
- Maintain Protect and Blink for defense
The Blood Sword is key here. It drains HP from the Emperor with each hit, ignoring his buffs and outpacing his Elixir healing. Without it, this fight becomes extremely difficult.
Victory and Aftermath
With the Emperor defeated, the Cyclone begins to collapse! The storm dissipates as its creator falls. The Wyvern swoops in to rescue your party from the crumbling fortress.
Return to Castle Fynn to deliver the news. The Emperor is dead, and the Cyclone is no more! The rebellion celebrates this monumental victory. Speak with Hilda to learn what comes next - strange reports are coming from Castle Palamecia, the Emperor's former stronghold. Something dark stirs within, something worse than the Cyclone itself. Your next destination awaits.
Treasure Chests
Paul's house in Fynn contains 8 treasure chests hidden in a secret room behind the bed. All chests are permanently missable - they become inaccessible once you enter the Cyclone.
| Item | Location |
|---|---|
Ether | Paul's house, secret room chest 1 |
Cottage | Paul's house, secret room chest 2 |
Elixir | Paul's house, secret room chest 3 |
Phoenix Down | Paul's house, secret room chest 4 |
Hi-Potion | Paul's house, secret room chest 5 |
Eye Drops | Paul's house, secret room chest 6 |
Antidote | Paul's house, secret room chest 7 |
Blood Sword | Paul's house, secret room chest 8 - CRITICAL for final bosses! |
The Cyclone contains 7 treasure chests across 7 floors. All chests are permanently missable - the dungeon is destroyed after defeating the Emperor and cannot be revisited.
| Item | Location |
|---|---|
Diamond Cuirass | 1F, northwest room |
Diamond Helm | 2F, east chamber |
Diamond Shield | 3F, hidden alcove |
Diamond Gloves | 4F, west passage |
Ripper | 5F, north chamber |
Venom Axe | 6F, east room |
Defender | 7F, before Emperor's chamber |