The Bell Tower continues the vertical ascent, but with even more challenging platforming. You'll encounter more Axe Armors and Flea Men, often in tight spaces. The most dangerous element here are the Gargoyles, which fly in from off-screen and swoop down. They are fast and can knock you off platforms. The Dagger or Axe can be useful against them. There are also sections with falling blocks that require quick movement. The Stopwatch sub-weapon can be incredibly useful here, freezing all enemies on screen, allowing you to bypass difficult sections or deal free damage to Axe Armors. Save your hearts for the Stopwatch if you find it, as it can make this area significantly easier. A hidden 1-Up is often found in a specific block near the top of this section, providing a crucial extra life.
