Crystalis/Oak

Oak is a small town to the right of Brynmaer, but is behind a poisonous forest. Before you enter, you should equip the gas mask, as the forest will rapidly drain your health (and more quickly on the GBC version). You will also need to be at least level 4 in the NES version.

Rescuing a child
The residents of Oak aren't friendly, but there is one that needs help. Enter the southwest building, and speak with the dwarf there. She mentions that her son is lost since exploring the forest, and needs to be brought back.

To find him, exit oak, and continue as far south until the path stops. Turn to the east, then to the south. Retrace your steps back to the village (or use warp boots). Re-enter the building to the left, to receive the insect flute, and the other villagers will permit you to visit their homes and shops. You will also need to visit the Elder to obtain the Sword of Fire, which allows you to attack additional enemies.

Giant Insect
The giant instect is located in the poisonous forest. You need to have the Sword of Fire, and be level 4. It is summoned when you use the insect flute just below the large black area.

The insect itself is not much of a threat, and will fall with sustained ranged attacks. It's only weapon is a straight downward shot signaled when it stops moving. The shot is narrow, allowing you to attack the giant insect while it is parked.

The battle varies slightly depending on which version of the game you are playing. On the NES version, a green flying swamp insect will fly in and shoot some shots towards you. In the GBC version, there is no swamp insect, but the shots move along with the giant insect, requiring you to attack only when it moves.

Mount Saber
With the Ball of Fire, you can now visit Mount Saber, located south of Brynmaer.

The first item to find is the tornado bracelet. When you enter the mountain, take the left path, and walk past the first ice cliff. Proceed north after the first cliff; on the NES version, this is another cliff, while the GBC version has a cave. If it is an ice cliff, you need to equip rabbit boots to climb up. Regardless of which version you use, you will eventually approach a bridge which you will cross. The cave behind the bridge leads to the Tornado Bracelet.

This new item permits you to make Lv. 3 wind attacks. This will cost mana when you make the attacks, but inflicts more damage on targets.

You will now need to meet Tornel at the top of the mountain. To get to him, retrace your steps back to the previous cave entrance or ice slope. Continue left and follow the path as it turns downward, and enter the cave at the end.

The fastest route to Tornel is to take the first right branch, followed by a right on the second branch, then turning north. You should arrive outside, where you can meet with Tornel to learn Teleport. On the NES version, you will also find a Magic Ring, which can replenish mana if you somehow used it all; on the GBC version, you need to backtrack to get warp boots (available from the left branch from the lower cave).

At this time, you may optionally warp to Leaf, and look for clues to where the population was taken, There is one resident in the smaller shed next to the elder's house, who gives you this infomration. However, you may head directly to the nothern peak of Mount Saber, which is north of the entrance to the poisonous forest.