Approach the Muramusa shop ahead and stock up on health, arrows, and weapon upgrades. Start down the path to trigger the winged demons. Remain near the shop and use charged arrows to eliminate the approaching demons. Replenish arrows as needed. Repeat the tactic until all of them are eliminated. If you grabbed the Windmill Shuriken from the previous level, charge them completely and fire at the winged demon.
Tip: When fighting this batch of winged demons, stick close to the Muramusa shop. Not only does that allow you to replenish your ammunition quickly but you also stay away from a bigger problem: a couple armadillo launching meteors from their lava home on the left side of the main path. Clear the winged demons before advancing.
Quickly move past the meteors from the armadillo. Search the corpse on the path for a Devil Way Mushroom then save your game at the save point ahead. Proceed forward into the clearing to trigger the armadillo twins.
The twin armadillo seem to be taking a lava bath. You’ll have to deal with them soon enough.
Boss Battle: Two Armadillo
This battle is similar to the first encounter with the armadillo…except of course there are now two of them! Your target is once again the armadillo head; although you can inflict some damage against the feet, the head is the most vulnerable spot. The powerful Eclipse Scythe inflicts big damage but a faster weapon like the true dragon sword or dual katana will also prove effective, especially using Flying Swallow and its upgrades near the armadillo head.
You can also use charged arrows to hit the head from long-range but this proves more difficult while there’s a second armadillo worry about. Incendiary Shuriken to the head is also a quicker option. Focus your attacks on a single armadillo target (which becomes easier once you have inflicted heavy damage to one, since it will begin to glow with lava fire). Remove one completely from the battlefield before going after the other. Don’t knock them both down to moderate health or you’ll have to deal with two fiery armadillo.
Dodge the armadillo roll by moving to the side of the arena. Another damaging attack is the armadillo bite, which can happen if you’re sticking close to the head without inflicting damage. Consider hit and run attacks on the head to avoid getting bit. One of the toughest elements of the battle is visibility. The bright orange aura is easily
blinding and it can cause you to lose track of where you’re at on the battlefield.
The armadillo death remains the same: explosive damage. Be prepared to block as soon as you’ve killed one armadillo. If the other is currently attacking, you may want to launch ninpo instead for temporary invulnerability. Return back to the save point and save your game. Exit through the far passage to trigger a cut scene. Look for a chest on the left side and recover the item. Continue forward and trigger the demons. Avoid dropping into the lava, which inflicts a small amount of damage for every moment you’re standing inside. However, if you drop down on the left side there’s an item chest inside the lava. Grab the item and get out.
Proceed down the path and find a dead body containing Incendiary Shuriken. Slide down into the next clearing. Start along the path—you should be able to see the save point in the distance. You’ll spot enemies spawn in the distance—fierce dogs. Destroy them with a couple ninpo bursts and weapon combos on their weakened hides. Moving further down triggers winged demons. You should retreat back near the start of the clearing and use the bow to fire charged arrows from long-range or charged Windmill Shuriken. If any of the demons get close, wipe them out with a melee weapon. Walk toward the save point and check the right side for a red essence chest. Save your game.
Proceed forward and trigger winged demons and dragons. Target the winged demons with arrows if possible; though expect the dragons to approach quickly. Drop down into the lava area and run toward the middle platform to trigger the boss battle.
Boss Battle: Zedonius
Zedonius is similar to the original encounter, although you have a couple extra enemies this time. You will also encounter red demons in the area as well as perhaps the biggest danger: lava. Avoid dropping into the lava or you will suffer damage until you get back onto the platform. Health is precious so focus your attacks on Zedonius and remain away from the edge and out of the lava.
Don’t allow Zedonius to employ his long-range attacks. If you are attacked from the fireballs, use Reverse Wind and dodge the assault quickly. Instead get close to Zedonius and equip the fully upgraded Eclipse Scythe. Watch for Zedonius to use his stomp—listen for his yell—and perform a dodge before he reaches the ground. Follow up the dodge with a combination attack using the scythe. You can clear out the red demons using ninpo if they’re posing a problem.
Examine the item on the ground and recover the Heart of Malevolent Flame. Search the corpse behind your start location to recover arrows. Mines clutter the lava in front of you. Jump and shoot the mines using the bow. Replenish arrows as needed. With the mines cleared, run over the lava and into the tunnel. Take the opportunity to save your game at the save point.
There are demons inhabiting this foggy forest. Take your time getting through.
Find a chest on the left side of the path. Exit the cavern and use the shop to replenish health supplies. Move left into the foggy forest and battle several two-headed demons. If you’re very patient you can remain near the shop and use a bow and charged arrows to eliminate them. Just retreat and repeat. Search the left side of the forest path to find a dead body containing an Herb of Spiritual Life. Further down on the left side, locate an item chest. Move through the opening at the end and trigger a boss battle.
Boss Battle: Volf
As soon as the second battle against Volf begins, consider charging an ultimate and using it to automatically engage Volf’s centaur escorts and Volf himself. If there’s not time then be prepared to dodge Volf and unleash a counter combination.
Consider using the Eclipse Scythe, which offers heavy damage potential against these tough bosses. If you were able to connect on an ultimate then you can finish off centaur with a ninpo, ideally close enough to Volf to inflict some additional damage. Dodge Volf’s charge attack and follow with a strong combination. Try to avoid moving in front of the centaur escorts where they can grab with the spears and perform a throw attack.