Datalog / Primers : Exploration ( Final Fantasy XIII ) Enemy Encounters . Many and various enemies stalk the roads that you must travel . Upon entering an enemy ' s detection radius , the mini - map in the upper right corner of the screen will flash in warning . Coming into contact with any enemy will initiate a battle . Aggression and Preemptive Strikes . All enemies guard areas limited by their fields of vision or other means of detection . Upon entering a guarded area , there is a chance that the enemy or enemies patrolling it will take notice . If your trespass is observed , a warning icon will appear over the heads of any enemies alerted to your presence . These foes will then become hostile , taking up defensive positions or rushing forward to attack . If your party leader comes into contact with an enemy , a battle will begin . Battles begin normally if the enemy was aware of the party ' s presence . If the enemy was caught off guard , however , the party will be able to make a preemptive strike . Certain enemies , like Zwerg Scandroids , have extremely narrow fields of vision and can be easily be approached unnoticed . It is always advantageous to do so if possible , as initiating a preemptive strike forces enemies to enter battle with their chain gauges near the staggering threshold . Shrouds . Shrouds are special single - use aerosols that can only be used outside of battle , and grant the party tactical advantages . Fortisol and Aegisol bestow their bonuses at the start of battle . Deceptisol , on the other hand , shields the party from enemy detection , eliminating any concerns of being spotted and attacked . Is it useful for avoiding combat , and also for launching preemptive strikes . Enemies like Pantheron s , whose field of vision allows them to monitor wide areas , normally turn hostile and display icons as soon as they are approached . Apply a spray of Deceptisol , however , and you will have no trouble gaining a preemptive strike . To open the shroud menu , press / while exploring . Select a shroud with / / / and then press / to use it . To close the menu without using a shroud , press / or / . Shroud effects wear off after the brief duration so be sure to time their application carefully . Cie ' th Stones and Missions . Cie ' th Stone s lie scattered about the world of Gran Pulse — the final remains of failed former l ' Cie . Upon touching a Cie ' th Stone , you will be given the opportunity to undertake its unfinished Focus as a mission , hunting down whatever terror it had been tasked with slaying . Finding and defeating the mark will complete the mission , earning you special rewards . Complete enough missions , and previously dormant Cie ' th Stones will begin to awaken , presenting you with new and more rewarding challenges . It is only possible to accept one mission at a time . Take on a new mission without completing your previous one , and the earlier mission will be abandoned . You can check the details of your current mission , including the whereabouts of your mark , on the map screen at any time . Chocobos . These majestic yellow birds allow you to cover greater distances than you could on foot , in only a fraction of the time . There are also locations that only chocobos can reach , indicated by swirling yellow indicators on the ground . To mount a chocobo , approach it and press / . Chocobos are courageous creatures , but even they have their limits . Come into contact with an enemy while riding , and the chocobo will lose one unit of morale . Should a chocobo lose all of its morale , it will throw its rider and flee . Otherwise , lost morale will gradually return , so long as no more close encounters occur . Chocobos also possess an uncanny knack for detecting buried treasure . When you pass near hidden treasure while riding a chocobo , an icon will appear above the bird ’ s head . The closer you come to the treasure , the faster this icon will bounce . Once you have discerned the treasure location , press / to dig it up . Cie ' th Waystones . Certain Cie ' th Stones function as teleporters , or Waystones , once you have completed their missions . Using these stones , you can travel instantly to other Waystones that you have activated previously . Cie ' th Palings . These Cie ' th Stone emanations block roads and pathways all across Gran Pulse . Complete the mission of the Cie ' th Stone near them and they will dissipate . Be warned that the marks for these missions are formidable foes , and you need not slay them all . Should you decide to undertake one of these missions , be prepared for grievous challenge .