Chapter 7: The Fear She Carries

Head to Theoscaldia Palace and speak with the king.

Return to the entrance of Fonsett Village and speak with Gramps.

Go up the steps near Gramps to the Village Guardian to open the way to Spirit Crucible Elpys.

Proceed through the tunnels in Spirit Crucible Elpys, noting that only Poppi can build Special beyond level one, hindering Blade Combos.

Continue through the tunnels to the Underground River Lavi. You can follow the left ledge or go right, climb a wall, enter a cave, and ride the river. Both paths lead to Grave Robbers' Haunt.

Pass through the hole in the wall to Wonder Spring Plaza Ruins.

Cross the bridge and descend the ledge. Enter the tunnel near the end and go left to reach the Helical Cloister.

Navigate around the pit in the Helical Cloister to emerge above the ruins. Re-enter the cloister, climb higher around the pit to reach the main room.

Turn right and head towards the orange light, entering the tunnel.

Enter the large room with a deep pit, the Elpys Great Hall. Traverse the ledge and hop onto the dark brick structure.

Descend the ladder ahead, then another ladder in the floor to reach a platform.

If you have Dark Mastery level 5 and Ancient Wisdom level 3, clear the Dark Miasma in the tunnels. Otherwise, proceed to the other side of the wall with the ladder and hop down to the ledge below.

Continue hopping down ledges until you reach a large Urchon enemy beside a bridge.

Descend through the poison pool and enter the dark cavern.

Partway through the cavern, find an opening on your right and a Vestige of Light. If you have Fire Mastery level 3 and Ancient Wisdom level 3, light the torch.

Head out onto the brick ledge, climb down the ladder to your right, and cross the ledge to the left, dropping onto the bridge below.

Proceed up to the large green spikes blocking the path to trigger a cutscene (a non-interactive cinematic the game plays automatically).

Go through the corridor to emerge into the Middle Worm-Ridden Cave.

Choose to go down the corridor on the other side or through the poison swamp to the left; both lead to the Chamber of Offering.

If you go down the tunnel, you will encounter a large spider web requiring Fire Mastery level 3 and Wind Mastery level 4. This path leads to the bottom of the cavern.

If you go through the swamp, you will be above the cavern with web bridges. Be cautious as thinner webs collapse and falling requires returning to the swamp.

Your objective is the spider web wall on the far side. As you approach, a large arachno may descend. To avoid battle, hug the right wall and quickly enter the corridor.

Burn down the spider web using Fire Mastery level 3 and Wind Mastery level 2.

Head down the tunnel to the Stele of Judgment. You need Keen Eye level 2 and Ancient Wisdom level 3 to read it.

Descend the stairs and cross the series of bridges and stairs to a doorway.

Ascend the stairs to a platform to begin a battle with four Phantasms.

Warning: If a Phantasm's health reaches 25%, they will use Multus, summoning two more full-health Phantasms.

To defeat the Phantasms: Option 1: Defeat them one by one until they stop summoning reinforcements, maintaining high health. Fight in the center of the platform to avoid falling. Option 2: Lower all Phantasms to about 30% HP, then use a Chain Attack with area-of-effect Specials. This is harder due to difficulty building Blade Combos and potential for Chain Attacks to end after one round.

After the battle, you can find the true Aegis Sword and gain a new Blade.

Head to the Fonsett Arch to determine your next steps.