Buried Memories is one of the Main Quests in Final Fantasy 16 (FF16). Read on for a detailed walkthrough, a list of rewards, as well as other tips and strategies on how to complete this Main Quest!

Buried Memories Overview

Quest Information

Buried Memories
Quest Type	Main Quest
Recommended Level	21
Region	Grand Duchy of Rosaria
Description: The ruins of Phoenix Gate are still and silent, much as they were on the day after the disaster thirteen years before. Yet amidst the shattered stonework and blackened beams that Clive recognizes only too well, he catches sight of something entirely unexpected—the hooded man he has long been chasing. Desperate to uncover the truth, Clive and Jill pursue the figure into the catacombs.

How to Unlock

Buried Memories starts after teleportng to Phoenix Gate Ruins during the Holding On quest. Jill and Torgal will accompany you as you explore the ruins.

Buried Memories Walkthrough

Quest Objectives

#	Buried Memories Objectives
1	Explore the Ruins Follow the path and explore the ruins. You will see the hooded man again as you go. Go after him until you reach the entrance to the Apodytery.
2a	Explore the Apodytery You will enter the Apodytery during the cutscene. Go deeper and open more doors to get to the lift.
2b	The creatures, Fallen Bugs, posing as statues will start to move once the lift is activated. Slay them all to get to progress.
2c	You will face more Fallen Bugs as you get to the ground. There will also be Fallen Hunters joining their ranks. A door will unlock after defeating all enemies. Open the door then and head to the next room. You can ask our good boy Torgal to show you the right way using Animal Instinct!
2f	More Fallen Bugs will be waiting inside, together with Defense Nodes. You can take out the Defense Nodes first, as their range attacks can be annoying even if they don't deal that much damage. There's also a chest near the exit that you can loot. Get it first before proceeding to the next room.
3	Defeat Fallen Guardian You will face a stronger enemy inside, named Fallen Guardian. It is a dual-wielding enemy that can perform various slashes, projectile attacks, energy blasts, and thrust attacks. Give it a beating and unlock the next room! There's a chest inside containing The Favor of Wind (Gouge). Collect it first before moving on to the next area! ▶ How to Beat the Fallen Guardian
4	Continue Exploring the Apodytery There will be three Bomb enemies waiting in the next area. Defeat them to get to the following room. Note that they will explode after their HP reaches a certain threshold, around 30% HP left, so keep your distance once it starts to happen!
5a	Walk to the room at the end and place yourself in the center. It will activate a lift that will go up.
5b	You will see a chest near the exit at the top. Loot it and get a sparkling 1,200 Gil! Open the door and prepare to fight more enemies inside.
5c	Break time is over! Hold your sword up and defeat another Fallen Guardian. It won't be a 1-on-1 fight this time, as there are other enemies joining the battle. You can beat the weaker ones first before the Fallen Guardian so you can put your full attention to it afterward. ▶ How to Beat the Fallen Guardian
5d	You fight more enemies in the next room. Destroy them all and open the door leading to another room. Before you leave, grab The Will of Wind (Rook's Gambit) inside a chest.
6	Defeat the Iron Giant An Iron Giant will appear at the end of the room. It is stronger than the enemies you've faced so far. Defeat it to unlock the next area! ▶ How to Beat the Iron Giant
7	Continue Exploring the Apodytery The lift will go up after defeating the Iron Giant. It will lead you to a more open area. Get The Favor of Wind (Wicked Wheel) from the chest nearby before leaving the area.
8	Defeat the Lich A Lich will appear once you open the next door. It has a good number of moves that deal tons of damage in a single hit. Defeat it to unlock the next room. ▶ How to Beat the Lich
9a	Activate the Lift You can activate two mechanisms that will make the lift move in the central area. You can activate the first one in the next room after beating the Lich. Specters and Wraiths will start appearing as soon as you enter the room. Kill them all to activate the first mechanism.
9b	Head to the next room and do the same thing as you did in the first one. Defeat all enemies and activate the second mechanism. Return to the central area after that and activate the lift to go down.
9c	Open the door at the end of the corridor once the lift reaches its stop. You will enter Clive's mind at this point of the quest, replaying his deepest fear.
10	Defeat Infernal Eikon and Shadow Clive will start to face his past and fears. Defeat Ifrit and unlock its powers after the quest! ▶ How to Beat Infernal Eikon and Shadow

How to Beat the Fallen Guardian

The Fallen Guardian is the first elite-like enemy in this quest. It can deal damage on close-range and long-range, but it's easy to predict where they're coming from.

Tips for Beating

• Exploit its predictable attacks
• Time your dodges against slash attacks
• Evade the high-damaging, AoE Energy Blast
• Defeat weaker enemies first (2nd Encounter)

How to Beat the Iron Giant

The Iron Giant is an enemy with a sword and a shield. It boasts power over speed, thus making it easy to dodge or parry its attacks. The most lethal attack it has is the Atomic Ray, so try to stop it with everything you got!

Tips for Beating

• Slow speed makes it vulnerable to various attacks
• Attacks are easy to parry and dodge
• Stop its Atomic Ray at all costs

How to Beat Iron Giant

How to Beat the Lich

The Lich is very similar to the Fallen Guardian, as they have identical move sets. However, the Lich is deadlier in speed and power, so don't let your guard down, or you'll get beaten up badly!

Tips for Beating

• Do multiple dodges against its Thresh move
• Keep enough distance to hit it and avoid its attacks
• Use Phoenix Shift to keep up with its dashes

Buried Memories Boss: How to Beat Infernal Eikon and Shadow

Infernal Eikon First Fight

The first phase is a battle between Clive's human form and Infernal Eikon that looks like Ifrit. Given the size difference, it's easier to hit using air combos and attacks. It will also allow you to avoid its powerful stomp attacks!

Tips for Beating

• Aerial attacks and combos work well against it
• Move away from its Stomp attack
• Claw slashes are easy to dodge even in midair
• Use ranged attacks when it's far to maximize damage
• Equip Timely Accessories to ease combat

How to Beat Infernal Eikon

Infernal Shadow Fight

You will be fighting a Clive in Human-Eikon form this time. The two of are almost equal, but you're better at speed and still has the power of Garuda. Use them to your advantage and dodge or parry all of its attacks!

Tips for Beating

• Keep away from its Hellfire move
• Use Phoenix Shift to follow its movement
• Long animation before an attack makes it vulnerable to parry and dodges

How to Beat Infernal Shadow

Infernal Eikon Second Fight

You will transform into Ifrit after the second phase. It won't be much of a battle, as you only have to smash the attack button to win!

Tips for Beating

• Win the Cinematic Clashes

Final Fantasy 16 (FF16) Related Guides

Main Quest Walkthroughs

Prologue Quests (Youth)

First Act Quests (Adolescence)

Second Act Quests (Adulthood)

Final Act Quests (Endgame)