ITEMS TO GET: Guardian Chain, Incense, Healing Bloom, Power Water, Healing Flower, Shield Elixir, Spring Salts, Slowness Chain

   After Xain's shtick is over, go right and pick up the Guardian Chain from the chest. This unusual item prevents both you and whatever enemy you're attacking from blocking any attacks. If you're low on HP and MP, you can just use the Door of Light (you should already have picked it up) to warp out.

   If you're still healty, though, take a minute to explore the now-frozen volcano for some chests and another Seru (Freed, a Water Seru). First, descend the stairs from the cliff you're on, then head south. Take the first passage to the east and collect the Incense from the chest, then head due west as far as you can go. Turn north and keep going until you reach a cave door. It leads back to the Fire Path, but skip it for now. Instead, head east until you reach a wall. Search around to the south for some stairs, and climb up then. Go north, hit X to roll the boulder aside, and continue along the ledge until you reach the final chest, with contains Power Water. Then use your Door of Light to leave.

   Back in Octam, speak with the mayor and he'll tell you that the elevator is now accessible, and also ask you to find the Spring Salts. Then board the elevator and you'll return to the vacant upper Octam. Either use a Door of Light to warp, or just walk out.

   You can take a minor side quest back to Vidna, which is now enveloped by the Mist -- its protective windmills, which relied on the volcano, are no longer functioning. The surviving townspeople are gathered in Danpas' shelter, though there's nothing to be gained from visiting them. Instead, head to the engine room (on the east side of town) and descend to the bottom floor.

   Now that the lava has cooled, you can walk around in here. While doing so, you'll encounter Level 2 Orbs and Swordies; if you missed those Seru before, catch them now (especially Orb, which is almost essential). Head west and descend the stairs to the lower tier. Cross under the bridge to the right, then the one above you. Grab the chest for a Healing Flower, then head back west and south. Collect the Shield Elixir at the bottom of the screen, then continue west to the end of the room. Open the chest for the Spring Salts.

   To complete the sidequest, leave Vidna and return to Underground Octam. Give the Spring Salts to the mayor, and he'll fork over a Slowness Chain, which makes the character using it act last in battle. Why would you want this? Normally, you wouldn't, but sometimes (rarely) it can be handy when you want to be sure a character heals after the enemies have attacked.

   Once you've finished the quest, or if you decided to skip it completely, make your way to the signpost north of Octam. From there, head west and you'll arrive at Ratayu (if you've already been there; just warp).