16. Underground

Walk toward the screen at the bottom to find a --RED CHEST-- along with an
--UNMARKED CHEST-- containing a ++PHOENIX FEATHER (22/?). Up the stairs ahead
you will find a --GREEN CHEST-- on your way to the lava pool to the side. Jump
on the rope and attack the Sentries as they climb across while moving over the
lava. Move very quickly so that you make it to the center platform in the lava
before the Archers spawn on the ledge to the side. Fall down and grab onto the
side of the ledge then climb to the right and pull yourself up. Defeat the
Archers then get ready for some Sentries and Gorgons. Take out your Hammer
then reflect the Gorgon's stare onto the whole crowd of enemies then destroy
them with the Hammer or Atlas Quake.

Jump back to the middle platform once you're finished. You'll actually have to
stand near the portion without railing and jump back to the platform. Find the
climbable wall on the left side and start to climb then jump to the next
section. Transition to the ceiling and climb to the area across the lava.
Sentries will spawn on the other side and climb up to the ceiling to attack.
Fight off the Sentries then find the section of the climbable ceiling that
moves off to the left and is hidden by the camera angle. Climb into this area
to find a small alcove with a --RED CHEST-- inside. Once you transition to the
wall on the other side and slide down, a group of Sentries and Archers will
spawn from the ground and attack. Open the --GREEN CHEST-- and --REPLENISHER
CHEST-- if needed then continue to the right.

You'll see an updraft shooting out of the lava below and a glowing object on
the wall ahead. Use Typhon's Bane to shoot the glowing object to reveal a
secret room. Jump into the updraft and glide then fall into the secret room
below the next area. Open the --UNMARKED CHEST-- for a ++PHOENIX FEATHER
(23/?)++ then open the --MEGA BLUE CHEST-- for a magic boost. Don't jump out
of the secret area just yet. Turn your attention toward the wall on the right
side then attack it to discover a secret lever inside. Pull the lever (hidden
by the camera) to make the blades above (in the next room) move into the
column. Jump and glide into the updraft then float to the floor above the
secret area.

By pulling the secret lever, this next part will be much easier. Jump and
catch each updraft to the right as you glide above the lava. Watch for the
lava bursts from the lava below since they will instantly make Kratos fall into
the lava once he touches one. Maneuver through the twisted corridor and make a
left then keep gliding until you reach an area along the side of the wall.
While on the ground, jump and glide toward the area to the right and find the
--RED CHEST--. Jump back across and move down the ramp ahead. You'll be able
to see your main goal in this area as Gaia points out the ashes of the Phoenix.

The Phoenix Chamber

Run to the floor below and read the book. Save your game at the save point on
the right platform. While on the platform with the save point, glide over the
to the hidden stairway behind the pillars in the middle and open the --RED
CHEST-- in the middle. The switch is useless for the moment, so glide over to
the platform on the left side. Fight off the Skeletons then defeat the Hades
Legionnaire as you move down the corridor ahead.

You'll come to a room with several large spikes. Pull the switch to make the
spikes retract under the ground. Run over to the area with the stone pillars
against the wall on the back left and break them to reveal an alcove with a
Fate Statue that has a flashing green stone above it. Hades Legionnaires will
attack as the pillars shatter. Try to hang out on the floor long enough to
keep the Legionnaires occupied then quickly jump back as the spikes surface to
kill them quickly through the use of the spikes. In order to get the chests in
that alcove with the Fate Statue, pull the switch then slow time and run over
to one of them then start to open it. Time will always resume once Kratos
tries to pry one open, so I would recommend making two trips for the --2 RED
CHESTS--.

Pull the switch once again then freeze time and walk over to the body on the
lever and examine it to obtain the **HAIL OF BOREAS**. The lever in the middle
will open the door in the very back of the right corridor. Keep in mind that
the lever does not have to be rotated all the way in order for the door to open
in the right corridor - it only needs to be rotated a full 360 degrees to open
the door wide enough for Kratos to fit through. Quickly pull the switch to
make the spikes sink under the floor then slow time with the Amulet of the
Fates. Run over to the lever and pull it all the way around once so that it is
in its normal position then quickly freeze time and run down the hall toward
the door in the back. You'll need to jump over two pitfalls along the way - it
can be kind of hard to maneuver through the pits if you're TV is dark.

Walk down the corridor to the left and you'll see three chests behind some
bars. Move around the side and locate the large rectangular hole in the right
wall forming a ledge. Grab onto the ledge then jump and glide across to the
platform on the left side. Fall to the area below to get the --3 RED CHESTS--
that you saw from behind the bars. Climb back up the ladder then continue
ahead. A --GREEN CHEST-- and a --BLUE CHEST-- will be along the sides of the
hall as you venture down the corridor.

Right after passing both chests, break the statue to the right for some extra
red orbs then grab the statue on the left side. Push the statue into the area
ahead and get ready to take cover behind it. In this area, you will have to
push the statue toward the back of the area as a flame wall rushes toward you.
Take cover behind the statue each time that the flame wall rushes your way. It
should be noted that the statue will provide a small area of protection around
its backside instead of just the immediate area behind it.

There are two doors along the right and left (in the back) sides of the room.
The door on the right has a --RED CHEST-- and an --UNMARKED CHEST-- containing
a ++PHOENIX FEATHER (24/?) behind it. The door on the left has a --RED CHEST--
and a --BLUE CHEST-- behind it. You will have to place the statue to the side
of the door so that it protects the front allowing you to open the door fully.
Don't stay in the side rooms while the flame wall is moving toward you or the
flames will hit Kratos.

Hades Legionnaires and Harpies will be attacking the whole time that you push
the statue. The Legionnaires will eventually stop attacking once enough have
been defeated, but the Harpies never stop. Use Cronos' Rage while you quickly
push and kick the statue toward the area in front of the switch then pull the
switch to make the platform ahead sink down into the floor allowing you to push
the statue toward the back. There are two pressure plates in the back. You
will need to push the statue on top of the left one to keep the gate up ahead
open. Quickly stand on the right pressure plate as the flame wall stops then
jump and swing toward the open gate before another flame wall starts. It is
also good to fully exterminate all the Legionnaires before attempting to use
the pressure plates. Run to the back of the area while the Legionnaires are
piled up to have quite a big area to fight them in. Take out the Head of
Euryale and stone them quickly then break them. Since the flame wall is going
to constantly push back the statue I would recommend that you push/kick the
statue a bit past the pressure plate so that the flame wall pushes it toward
the left pressure plate then run toward the other and stand on it before making
your grapple.

A --GREEN CHEST-- will be on the high platform as you land and the urn
containing the ashes of the Phoenix will be near the bars up ahead. Grab the
urn and push it off the pressure plate that it is currently on to make the
pedestal move downward. Push the urn along the path to the right and it will
eventually fall into a groove. Walk over to the switch in the back and the
paths will seal off. Fight off the Skeletons and Minotaurs that appear then
save your game on the platform over to the side.

Pull the switch to make a grappler pick up the urn and drop it into the lava.
This will also trigger a cutscene. Find the circular staircase that leads up
the center pillars. Glide toward the updraft by the stairs and it will lift
you up enough to get up on the stairs. Undead Legionnaires will attack on the
way up. Before pulling the switch at the top, look around the sides to find a
--RED CHEST-- on the right side and an --UNMARKED CHEST-- containing a
++PHOENIX FEATHER (25/?)++ on the left side. Pull the switch in the middle to
raise the platform that Kratos is on back up to the middle area of the Palace
of the Fates. Turn around and place the Hail of Boreas into the mouth of the
face of Boreas to open the door behind you.

Walk down the bloody corridor behind the door and find the chain hanging from
the ceiling at the first turn to the left. Before grabbing the chain, turn
left and open the --RED CHEST-- near the pillars - this is the red chest that
you have seen from the other side of the pillars in the middle area all this
time. Climb the chain in the middle. Leap off on the next floor and you'll
notice a --GREEN CHEST-- and a --BLUE CHEST-- next to save point in the back of
the room. Walk over to the right side and find the horn that is facing the
Phoenix. Blow the horn for a cutscene.

The camera will show the door to the side that is up the broken ladder in this
center area as it zooms back to Kratos after the cutscene. Jump off the
platform with the horn and walk over to the two circular platforms that used to
hold up statues. Jump and pull yourself up onto the first platform then jump
to the next. From the second circular platform, jump and glide to the door
above the broken ladder.

Open the door to the room ahead and the camera will show you two shining chains
on the wall near the ceiling. Pull the switch in the middle to make the lift
to the left rise up and reveal a climbable wall on its side. Climb the wall of
the lift and transition to the ceiling. You'll need to maneuver through the
pedestals at the top. Climb up to the very top of the wall then move toward
the shiny chain up above each gate. First of all, hit the one to the right so
that it opens the gate to the --RED CHEST-- below then climb over to the second
shiny chain and hit it so that it releases the gate with the pedestal in the
back of it.

Pull the pedestal out of the wall and kick it toward the lift on the left side.
Pull the switch again to make the lift come back down. Fireball Fiends will
attack once the lift is lowered. Place the pedestal in between the front of
the lift and the wall above it. Pull the switch and the pedestal should
prevent the lift from rising all the way. It will make a small opening where
Kratos can jump through and get on the lift. Keep in mind that the pedestal
has to be placed precise or it may fall off. Get on the lift and pull the
pedestal onto the lift. The lift will rise up once again with you on it.
Place the pedestal against the gated wall then hop on top of it. You'll see
another shiny chain up above the gate. Jump and attack the chain to make the
gate lower.

Open the --GREEN CHEST-- off to the side if needed. Break the objects around
the chest for some extra red orbs. For the moment, the path to the right
doesn't lead anywhere. Rotate the lever in the circular area counterclockwise.
This will raise the platforms outside and also expose an entrance to another
lever down the right path. Walk into the circular area down the right path and
break the pots for some more red orbs. Rotate the lever inside to rotate the
gated area around the room. There is an open space that will appear in place
of the gated wall on all four doorways, but you want to rotate the lever so
that the open space appears on the right wall first of all. This will reveal a
--RED CHEST-- in an alcove behind the wall. Rotate the lever some more until
an opening is exposed in the dark room straight ahead. Enter the dark room and
Kratos will get assaulted by a mysterious figure.

BOSS: DETERMINED MAN

Attacks:

Stab Combo: The man stabs toward Kratos then slashes him with his sword.

How to avoid: Block or deflect.

Slash Combo: The man steps forward with two horizontal slashes.

How to avoid: Block or deflect.

You are not meant to lose during this battle judging by the extremely small
amount of damage that the man takes from Kratos. Keep in mind that it can
still be lost however, if you set your controller down long enough. The battle
is fought in a very narrow room where the two can only move backward or
forward. All of the man's attacks can be blocked or deflected. The only
weapon not recommended is the Hammer since Kratos will take too long in between
hits. Jump and glide to the other side if the man ever corners you on one
side. Feel free to use any magic or use Rage of the Titans; it will recharge
before the actual fighting portion of the next battle. Approach him and press
the O button once the icon appears for a cutscene.

BOSS: KRAKEN

Kratos can only walk at the beginning of this battle and each button press will
result in him yelling out a phrase in response to the last event.

Button Response

O = I am cursed!
[] = I grow tired of the lies of the gods!
/\ = Come down here and face me now, Zeus!
X = I cannot change my fate!

The Kraken will eventually grab Kratos and another cutscene will trigger.
Kratos will receive a ++RAGE OF THE TITANS UPGRADE++ after the next cutscene.
Activate Rage of the Titans to break free from the Kraken's grasp, or don't, it
doesn't really matter. Kratos will gain a bunch of green orbs from the Kraken
no matter the outcome.

Attacks (Phase #1):

Tentacle Stab: The Kraken stabs his claw tentacle into the ground three times.

How to avoid: Roll or move away.

Tentacle Smash: The Kraken readies his claw tentacle and performs an overhead
smash with it.

How to avoid: Roll.

Acid Spit: The Kraken roars with a greenish liquid in its mouth then spits it
toward Kratos. This move is designed to push you back, especially once you
grab the corpse.

How to avoid: Block, roll, or deflect.

Tentacle Slap: When Kratos moves beside either of the Kraken's side tentacles,
it will uncoil the tentacle from the circular platform and slap him with it.
Notice that it slaps in a pattern from right to left (or left to right)
depending on which tentacle you're standing by for a total of three slaps.

How to avoid: Roll or move away.

This battle is a perfect blend of puzzle and actual fighting. Hit the Kraken's
left tentacle that is coiled around the left pillar to make it move. Use
combination attacks with the Athena's Blades (L1+ [] or L1 + O). This will
make the tentacle move and give you some green orbs in the process. Notice
that there is a pressure switch in front of the pillar. Pick up the dead
Spartan's corpse from the middle of the area and place it on top of the
pressure switch in front of the left pillar. This will uncover the middle
portion of the area and make an updraft fly out from in between the bars. Jump
and glide in the updraft to float upward then glide toward the Kraken's head
and attack him in his forehead. Both the Athena's Blades ([] attacks) and the
Spear of Destiny ([] or /\ attacks) work well for hitting him in the air.

The Kraken will eventually stab the middle portion of the platform where the
updraft is protruding and get his tentacle stuck in the platform as the middle
section closes. Immediately run toward the front of the tentacle and climb it
(use Up + X) then aim upward while at the top and attack (/\ button) the top
portion of his tentacle.

The Kraken may eventually knock you off his tentacle, so you might to repeat
the above process over again. Once the hard portion in the middle of his
tentacle is shattered an icon will appear for you to finish that tentacle while
still grappled on. Press the O button when prompted to finish the tentacle.

The Kraken will get his second tentacle stuck in the left wall, so you will
need to jump up to it and cling on to it as if you were jumping to grab a
ceiling. Climb across to the hard portion and attack it (/\ button). Press
the O button when prompted once again to finish that tentacle.

Attacks (Phase #2):

Ground Beating: The Kraken smacks the ground in front of him in all areas.

How to avoid: Stand against the far wall across from him while in front of him.
Stay away from the middle area and he will not do this.

Tentacle Smash 2: The Kraken uncoils his tentacle from the platform and smashes
the ground below the tentacle three times. Each smash will reach further.
How to Avoid: Roll away right when you see his tentacle uncoil and move back
just a bit.

Acid Spit: The Kraken roars with a greenish liquid in its mouth then spits it
toward Kratos.

How to avoid: Block, roll, or deflect.

Once both tentacle claws have been cut off, the Kraken will become irritated
with you and eat the Spartan's corpse. He will unleash a mega ground beating
attack that will cover nearly every area of the platform except for the area
against the far wall directly in front of his head. Don't stand in the middle
area and you won't have to worry about this.

In order to damage him at this point, run over to either of his tentacles that
are wrapped around the side pillars and attack them. He will perform a smash
attack so you will need to roll back and move away just a bit to avoid it.
Don't get fully wrapped up in an attack while hitting his tentacle or you won't
escape in time. Try to make the attacks brief so you can roll away quickly.
The Kraken will start to fall once his first tentacle has been removed so run
over and hit the other tentacle very quickly. You don't have to worry about
avoiding his attacks when the first tentacle is uncoiled since he will be so
busy struggling to maintain his grip that he won't have time to attack. Use a
magic attack or Rage of the Titans at that point to make sure that you make him
uncoil the other tentacle. Keep in mind that both tentacles retain the damage
dealt to them, so you can attack one side quite a bit then run to the other
side and damage it fully and you'll only need to attack the remaining side a
few times.

Once both tentacles are off the pillars and the Kraken struggles to get back up
on the platform, quickly rush over to the newly uncovered switch in the middle
of the area and pull the switch to dish out one of the most severe final blows
in action gaming history!

Walk across the bridge leading to the Phoenix. You'll notice as you step over
the remains of your bloodshed that there is a --RED CHEST-- on the right of the
Phoenix and an --UNMARKED CHEST-- on the left. Notice that the Phoenix has a O
button icon above it. Walk up to it and press the O button to engage in an
Action Sequence.

Kratos drives his blades into the legendary bird and @PULLS@ him off the
fire. While the bird is on the ground, Kratos runs up to it then [JUMPS]
and stabs it in the head. Kratos (WHIPS) the side of the bird's head
then (DRIVES) both of his blades into the back of its neck.