ITEMS TO GET: Healing Shroom x4, Healing Leaf x2, Scarlet Jewel, Power Water, Guardian Water, Speed Elixir, Vahn Fist, Healing Bloom x2

   As soon as you start up Mt. Rikuroa, the game will switch over to the second main character, Noa, in Snowdrift Cave. Save your game if you want, then follow the passage until you catch up with Terra. Answer "Seru and human" to her question, then keep going until Terra stops a second time. This time, answer, "A Genesis tree". In the room just beyond, look around for a mushroom on the ground and grab it -- it's a Healing Shroom -- then continue until Terra stop yet again. Answer "Mt. Rikuroa" to her, then go south a little and east to find another Healing Shroom. After that, go south to a separate screen.

   Here you have to fight several Piuras. Start with the Red Piuras to learn some Arts (check Noa's Arts section for a list of them), then move up to the Black Piuras. Between battles, go talk to Terra to get healed (there's also a third Healing Shroom off to the left side). Once you've beaten three Piuras, you can stop, though you can continue to fight them for experience if you want. Otherwise, talk to Terra and head back through the cave until an earthquake occurs.

   The Mist will start to seep into the cave, meaning you have to fight enemies from now on. Hurry back to the room where you started, and save again if you want. Then talk to Terra and she'll join you. Terra has infinite HP and MP, and will heal Noa whenever needed, so things are pretty easy. Walk the rest of the way out of the cave (grabbing the Healing Shroom along the way).

   Save on the world map, then head south and you'll reach the north end of Mt. Rikuroa. Enter and follow the trail up to a ledge with a chest. Open it (it's a Healing Leaf -- note that Noa's inventory doesn't include anything Vahn was carrying) and go east into the cave. Just follow the path, collecting the Scarlet Jewel and Power Water along the way, until you reach the first boss, Golem.

   The Golem's primary attack is just a physical attack combo that does 60-70 damage, but it sometimes uses Jagged Earth, which does 100-130 damage. Alternate between Spirit and big combos, and don't worry about healing -- Terra should take care of that. The Golem has about 700 HP; you should receive Guardian Water when you win.

   Noa and Terra escape the cave just as it collapses. The two chat briefly, and Terra then reveals her true nature. When the dialogue has concluded, continue south and east and follow the long trail (collecting the Phoenix in the chest along the way) until you arrive at the Genesis Tree. Just as Noa is above to touch the tree, Zeto shows up and sics the Caruban on the pair. The actual battle is forestalled, however, as you switch back to...

   ...Vahn, who is still at the base of the mountain. Open the gate and continue to the next screen. Here, hop up the first three ledges (and watch Vahn's surreal acrobatic feats), then drop down and collect the Speed Elixir from the chest. Jump up until you reach a cave, and enter. Proceed forward and turn right at the fork. Head south, back outside. Jump up the long progression of ledges, until you reach a spot where you can jump either up or right. Go right first and get the Magic Leaf from the chest, then jump back left and then up. Keep hopping until you get to a normal platform again. Walk south and grab the Vahn Fist in the chest at the end. Equip it, then retrace your steps all the way back to the cave. This time, take the left fork, and follow the straightforward path to the Genesis Tree. If you haven't assimilated a Vera yet (they have heal spells), try to do so -- you can also assimilate a Theeder for a thunder spell, but it's not necessary at this point.

   Heal up before moving forward. As soon as you approach the tree, Vahn will automatically team up with Noa to fight the Caruban. This is a tough battle (this is only the beginning, though -- things will get much tougher); it may take you a few tries to win. The Caruban has a powerful physical attack, plus a Fire Breath attack that does 100-200 damage to both characters. Use Spirit to boost your defense, then hit it with these combos: Right, right, left, right, left (Vahn) and right, left, down, right, left, down (Noa). Vahn should take care of the healing, assuming he's assimilated a Vera. You can also use the Healing Bloom you picked up to heal both characters, but try to conserve it; Healing Blooms are hard to come by.

   After you finally defeat the Caruban and its 1000 HP, you'll receive another Healing Bloom. Touch the Genesis Tree again to awaken it and dispel the Mist. Noa will now receive her Ra-Seru, enabling her to assimilate enemies as well. Make your way back down the mountain via Vahn's path (don't worry, it's quick if you don't take any chest detours) and exit back to the world map.