In this stage of extremes, you begin attempting to traverse over extremely hot lava. As you approach the Shield shop behind door A, be careful of the snake guarding the door. Brandish your sword as you are about to land to ensure your safe landing. This is your last chance to purchase the Legendary Shield. Although it isn't extraordinarily useful at 360 gold, it's worth picking up if you have the money to spend.
In the SMS version of the game, the next island has one door (B) followed by a third platform with a door (C). However, in the original version, the second island has two doors, with door BB on a platform above door B. Door BB contains an Armor shop, but you can only reach it if you happen to have the Legendary Shoes. Additionally, you needn't fear not being able to reach door C, as the small platform beneath it has a spring.
From the last door, you must navigate from one small block to the next in order to avoid the lava below. Winged Boots happen to help substantially in this section. If you fall in the lava, proceed to the right as quickly as possible to avoid taking too much damage.
Beyond the lava is a small stretch of land where you will find stone throwing apes (or one solitary Blue Goblin in the SMS version.) Defeat all of the apes because they will likely drop very useful items before you enter the cave.
This stretch of the stage is a vertical descent to the bottom of a cave. This cave is occupied by a plethora of strong enemies, including Strong Bats, Vampires, and Mudmen. If you are not careful, they may bounce you down to the bottom of the cave.
It just so happens that there are more enemies in the cave than are permitted to appear on screen. As a result, you can reduce the challenge presented by the cave by avoiding the enemies and leaving them behind. The game will conclude that it cannot introduce a new enemy because the previous existing ones were not defeated. If, however, you'd like a challenge, then attack ever enemy that you encounter.
There are some small platforms that appear near the center of the cave. There are a few secrets surrounding the first platform, but the second platform contains the most important secret of all. Push up when you land on this platform to discover a hidden door. Behind this door, you will encounter a brand new and powerful enemy, the demon.
The demon surrounds himself with six circulating fireballs. He doesn't do much to attack you directly, he lets the fireballs do all the work. He simply walks slowly back and forth across the floor. In addition to circling around him, the fireballs move in and out, creating small windows of opportunity for you to dash inside and stab the demon. Keep doing this while doing your best to avoid the fireballs until the Demon is defeated. Your reward for conquering this powerful beast will be the best sword in the game: The Legendary Sword.
Keep dropping down to the bottom of the cave, but watch out for the lava that occupies the left side of the floor. Make your way down the final ladder on the right side of the screen, and drop down to the ledge below before exiting to part C.
You go from one extreme to the other here; from the boiling climate of a volcano to freezing cold ice platforms. You are greeted by what look like ordinary apes, but they are in fact snow apes! Snow apes differ from their normal cousins by throwing ice cubes instead of boulders. These ice cubes slide along the ground, and even ricochet if they hit something, so you must be prepared if they come sliding back towards you. (The SMS version has blue goblins instead.)
As with the previous section, you can actually make this stretch a lot easier by simply ignoring the enemies, and running away from them. The game will fail to replenish the area with more enemies, making it very easy for you to approach the boss behind door D. However, if you opt not to fight the enemies here, you also miss out on the useful items they may leave behind.
The boss of this round is a new fearsome foe: the Minotaur. The Minotaur is a lot like knights in many respects; it attacks with a sword, and it runs around, and it can leap. But the Minotaur has a unique trick up its sleeve. When standing a good distance from you, the Minotaur will opt to fire a rainbow colored laser at you. While the laser can be deflected with your shield, it travels quite fast and is difficult to block. If you have been saving up the special weapons that you've gathered to this point, this is definitely one fight where you want to use them. If you were fortunate enough to receive a gauntlet or a cape before you entered door D, attack the Minotaur directly until these items are used up before relying on special weapons.
It will be a tough fight, but if you survive the duel against the Minotaur, you will earn the key to open the gate to the next stage. Simply head right when you leave the door to reach the gate.
