Alisia Dragoon/Stage 1 - Temple

Area 1 - Forest
Shoot or duck under the swarms of small flying creatures. Go down the slope to a low flat area, where there are spore plants and larger flying monsters.

The spore plants periodically spit out buds that will land on the ground. The buds themselves won't hurt Alisia, but the spores that pop out from them can. While shooting the spore plants, destroy the buds or stay away from them before they pop. Also kill or duck under the flying monsters. After the spore plants, there are two Potions and a Meat Bone.

Past the low flat area is a high path leading to the temple. Beware of more small flying creatures, bat-like monsters who will either swoop downward or shoot bullets, and worms who can quickly roll across the ground. Advance slowly, and deal with the threats one at a time. At the temple entrance, a swarm of small flying creatures will suddenly emerge at the last moment.

Area 2 - Temple
The temple consists of multiple short levels that zigzag downward. Many guards will teleport in and try to throw energy balls aimed at Alisia.

On the first level, at the top, there are a Meat Bone and two Potions. At the far right, also jump up to find a Companion Upgrade.

On the second level, go to the alcove. Jump against the column to the right to find a hidden passageway (which has two guards), leading to a higher location. This secret room contains a Meat Bone and a Companion Upgrade. The hidden hole at the left is a shortcut back down to the passageway.

On the fourth level, leap over to the alcove at the right to find a 1-Up.

On the sixth level, go to the alcove, where there are a Meat Bone and a Potion. Jump against the column to the right to find a hidden passageway. Jump up against the column at the apparent dead end to find hidden steps, leading to a gallery. This secret room contains a Companion Upgrade. At the right side of this room, jump up into the ceiling while facing left to find more hidden steps. This other secret room contains a Thunder Power Upgrade and an Armor Upgrade.

The eighth level is at the bottom. Alisia should kill the slimes in the corridor from a distance, before they leap toward her.

Altar Room
Cutscene.

Area 3 - Ruins
After the temple, there is a Potion just outside (on Normal only). Procee slowly through the ruins, and kill or avoid the numerous enemies who appear. In the left half of this area, watch out for guards who throw energy balls, and watch out for flying monsters who quickly swoop across the screen. Lans' shots are fast enough to hit many of these enemies. In the right half of this area, beware of small flying enemies, rolling worms, and spear guards who teleport in from nowhere and then thrust left or right. For the spear guards, wait for them to solidify before shooting them. To the right of the stronghold at the middle of this area, if Alisia takes the low paths, skeleton guards will appear above, tossing rocks straight down. Quickly move forward or kill the skeleton guards to avoid their rocks.

Toward the top left corner of this entire area, there is a Potion.

At the top left corner of this entire area, there is a Thunder Power Upgrade. At the top right corner, there are a Meat Bone and a Companion Upgrade. At the right end of the bottom level, there are a Potion, a Meat Bone, and a Companion Upgrade. The stronghold at the middle of this area contains a few more items. On its left side on the ground level, there are a Potion and an Armor Upgrade. On top of the stronghold, there is a Meat Bone.

On its right side, shoot open the wall to reach the second floor, where there is a Potion. At the bottom right side of the stronghold, there is another Potion (on Normal only).

For more efficiency at reaching all the items, begin with the stronghold's left side, next the top left corner, then the top right corner, and finally the stronghold's right side.

To reach the exit at the far right, follow the second level from the bottom. Toward the end of this path (among some enemies), there are a Potion and two Meat Bones. On the short bit of ground just before the gate at the end, there is a Potion (on Normal only).

Boss: Marl and Marsh
Marl and Marsh are twin assassins who attack by throwing knives, and they move only by teleporting and dropping down from the air. Alisia should duck under the knives that are tossed sideways, and she should jump left or right at the last moment to dodge the spinning knives, which will aim themselves at her. She should also move to the sides to avoid the bosses when they teleport above her.