Trials of Mana/Part 3: Waterfalls, Wendel, and Wisp

When you're satisfied with your current level, go right from the screen north of Astoria. You will meet your partner outside the Cave of Waterfalls, looking to get in. The Fairy removes the barrier, and you can now enter the Cave.

The Cave of Waterfalls is a nice little maze. For now, you are just trying to get to Wendel. Go down into the cave, past the Gold Statue. Save if you want, then continue into the cave and head west. This guide will typically not have directions for you. Instead, explore the caves and dungeons, and don't be afraid to go into strange rooms. There are no random encounters, so the actual number of enemies is quite low. Just don't move too fast, and backtrack to a Gold Statue if you find yourself running low on health. There's no boss here. Oh, and if you ever find yourself "Trapped!" in a room, simply clear it of enemies and the door will open again.

When you finally get to Wendel, you have two options. You can either buy armor, weapons, and items, or you can go speak to the Priest of Light. You'll do both before leaving, but you can do them in either order.

{This paragraph reserved for a nice long discussion on how to select and equip weapons, and how to store and use items}

The Priest will tell you that Mana is starting to fade. This is bad. He will tell you to retrieve Wisp from the Cave of Waterfalls. This is good. Wisp is the first elemental spirit. He represents Light Magic.

Go back into the Cave of Waterfalls. Go to the Gold Statue. As you progress, note the waterfall room where the Fairy remarks upon Wisp's presence. That room has two entrances. Go north to the second entrance to the room, and use the Fairy to cross the waterfall. Follow the path until you reach a fork and can go to the left or right. Go left first and save at the Gold Statue. Now, go back and go right, until you reach a big, empty cavern. Time for your first boss!

Boss: Full Metal Hugger
This guy is not too bad, but then again, he is your first boss. Just hit him repeatedly. If he poisons you, use Puipui Grass to cure it. Keep your HP above 30 or so and you'll be fine. He can block attacks for a few seconds by closing his eyes. He also knows Holy Ball and Heal Light, and will heal himself once or twice during a normal battle. He is weak to Dark attacks, but since you do not have Dark Saber or Evil Gate yet, the most you can do is make sure the fight takes place at night. The battle is halfway over when his eye vanishes.

After Full Metal Hugger is gone, Wisp shows up. He joins you. Now, leave the Cave. You'll be ambushed by Lugar at the waterfall, and thrown in jail in Castle City Jad. Your second partner will be in the cell next to you. Try the cell door and you'll be introduced. Your second partner will use a trick to open the gates, and will then join you. Head south out of the castle and to the harbor, where a ship will take you away.