Head for the temple in the middle of the forest and climb the steps to reach the altar. When Tseng gives you the Keystone, place it on the altar and you'll be transported inside the Temple. When the strange creature beckons you, follow him to his chamber. Though this area appears complicated, the path is actually quite linear. Head right, up the short flight of steps and left, right and down the steps, through the archway, down the vines, and right under the long set of steps. Open the chest to find the TRIDENT and head right, up the vines, left and up the steps, and up another set of vines. Pick up the MIND SOURCE, head down the steps, and enter the creature's chamber. Open the chest to find the SILVER RIFLE and exit. Head back up the stairs, down the vines, and through the archway. Pick up the TURBO ETHER, go down the long set of steps, through another archway and down the steps, left behind the pillar, and down the vines. Open the chest to find the ROCKET PUNCH and note the second Ancient and the corridor it disappears into. Go down the stairs, right and up the vines, up the stairs and through the archway, down the stairs and up the vines, and left to pick up the LUCK PLUS MATERIA. Go back the way you came and enter the doorway taken by the Ancient.


Make your way to the right by ducking under the gaps in the rolling boulders until you reach the center pool and pick up the MORPH MATERIA. Continue all the way to the right to deactivate the booby trap and follow Aeris back to the pool. Head right to reach a clock-like room moderated by the Time Guardian. By moving the hands of the clock, you'll be able to create a walkway between your current location and the path you wish to take. Begin by touching the second hand and you'll be knocked off, plunging to the chamber below. Defeat the two Ancient Dragons and open the chest to find the NAIL BAT. Leave the room and you'll find yourself back in the first area. Make your way back to the clock-like room and explore the numbered passages* in any order (except VI and XII). When you're ready to move on, take passage VI. In this area, a particularly playful Ancient will play hide and seek with the key to the next room. Catch the little rascal to unlock the door* and open the chest on the lowest level to find the WORK GLOVE. Return to the upper-most level and enter the inner sanctum. Make your way to the right and defeat the Red Dragon. Pick up the BAHAMUT MATERIA, proceed to the right, and examine the object floating above the altar. Return to the clock-like room and take passage XII. Head for the exit and defeat Demons Gate.

STRATEGY

Red Dragon:
This beast uses physical and Fire-based attacks; equip [Fire-element]-[Elemental] defensive combination or the Fire Ring and items that increase your Vitality, such as the Protect Vest. Begin by using Big Guard and casting Regen (if you've acquired it) on your entire party. Cast Slow on your opponent (or use Seal Evil or Dazers if you have them to paralyze it if you'd rather) and use Bio to inflict damage and cause Poison status. [DRAGON ARMLET]

Demons Gate:
Demons Gate moves swiftly and uses attacks that can cause significant damage to your whole party or cause Petrify. You may wish to equip the Jem Ring and the Heal Materia (unless you prefer to use Softs). Begin with Big Guard, cast Slow on Demons Gate, and Regen on your allies. Use physical attacks and Limit Breaks as they become available, making sure you maintain the HP of your party members. [GIGAS ARMLET]

*NOTES


Exploring the numbered passages:
-[I]: chest containing enemies (Jemnezmy + two Toxic Frogs)
-[II]: dead end
-[III]: chest containing enemies (two 8 Eyes)
-[IIII]: chest containing the PRINCESS GUARD
-[V]: chest containing a RIBBON
-[VI]: door to the inner sanctum
-[VII]: chest containing the TRUMPET SHELL
-[VIII]: chest containing a MEGALIXIR
-[IX]: dead end
-[X]: rolling boulder booby trap
-[XI]: dead end
-[XII]: exit

Hide and seek:
When the Ancient ducks into one passage, it'll pop out from a different one, moving in a set pattern. Your task will be to figure out which doorway the guard will come out of and catch it by entering that passage. You could just follow him in and our of every door until you figure out the whole pattern; or just jump down (press [O] at the left end of walkway) to the middle level and enter the passage second from the right to catch him right away.