Golbez's Story

The sun was floating low above the horizons. Another day was running out. Lightning, Cloud and Terra were following wordlessly behind Kain who treaded the mountain path confidently in search of another elusive gateway.

How Kain found it in the first place remained a mystery. The gate was perfectly concealed by the natural mountain terrain and a number of plants, including ivy which adorned the stone archway. Following Kain, Lightning, Cloud and Terra entered the gateway apprehensively.

Inside the gateway was a spacious rocky chamber filled with the oddest combination of artifacts that neither of them has ever seen before. Oddly colored liquid in flasks of different sizes, spell books, monster carapaces, electrical wiring… and even a dozen or so still crystal manikins. Seated in the center was a short elf-like woman barely three feet tall.

Kain walked up towards the woman and gave a slight bow to show his respect to the unfamiliar woman. "Lady Shantotto, I expect you are ready?"

"Ohohoho. Why if it isn't Kain!" the woman named Shantotto chuckled happily at Kain's arrival. She, however, eyed the other three suspiciously. "Tell me my knight, who they are, might?"

"Allies," Kain said without lifting up his head. "Of that you can be assured."

"I must admit I hate sharing, but on your account I'll be forgiving." Shantotto haughtily replied, giving a condescending look at Lightning, Cloud and Terra.

"Oohhhh!" Terra abruptly exclaimed, "So you are the mage Shantotto? Cosmos's right-hand mage! I've heard the moogles speak of your name." Terra, who has good rapport with the moogles, have heard of tales of the legendary mage of cycles past from them. Being a fellow mage, she had both respected and feared the name, and yet still looked forward to meeting the mysterious legend.

"Well yes my dear," Shantotto replied, looking pleased. "It's a pleasure to have you here." Lightning rolled her eyes and Cloud raised an eyebrow at her sudden change in attitude after Terra praised her. Fortunately, Shantotto was too busy flustering over her still manikins to notice their less respectful demeanor. "If you came to ask for an army, you can be assured you'll get it. For now you can take these dozen, I'll follow up as you see fit."

And so they left the gateway with a dozen manikins at their heels. It was a strange sensation, having the puppets they had established as their enemies following their commands. Once far enough from the gateway, Kain explained to them, "Shantotto was allowed to leave the war because of her extensive contribution towards Cosmos some cycles back. She stayed behind to study more of the world, especially the manikins. And recently she successfully devised a method to control them. It's best to keep her happy. She's a legend for a reason."

…

Sephiroth put up a brilliant resistance; shattering the crystal imitations he thought he had control of one by one. The ruse to make Sephiroth lower his guard had little effect on the ever alert ex-SOLDIER 1st Class. Nevertheless, the knowledge that the manikins were now beyond his control did have an impact on him as registered by his sharp features. His icy blue eyes darted back and forth in search of the culprit who unleashed these abominable dolls on him.

Before the last crystal imitation shattered, Kain, Lightning, Terra and Cloud had personally entered the fray, resolving, stronger than ever, to 'kill' the opposing Chaos Warriors. If they manage to fell every one of them, they would be free to face Chaos, the God of Discord themselves. And that would happen before Shinryu could revive all the 'dead' warriors and restart the war should all the warriors of one faction fall... Since Golbez would remain the only non-opposing Chaos Warrior left standing at the end of the day.

Focusing on their ever nearing goal, their sheer number and willpower overpowered even Sephiroth.

Halfway through the ferocious battle, however, Sephiroth was struck down by an outsider. A long blade of dark purple rays had pierced through his body. The four warriors of Cosmos could only stare in astonishment as Golbez withdrew the deadly rays and Sephiroth, like Ultimecia, faded away into a flurry of black feathers.

"I guess it's time we answered to everyone else," Golbez said as he looked up at the swirling feathers blown by the wind. Kain and the others nodded in agreement. It was time for them to work together; time to put aside conspiracies and hidden agendas. The truth must now be known to every warrior on their side. "I wonder if Cecil and the rest could trust me as all of you did." He added hesitantly.

"They would," Terra assured him, smiling warmly. "Once we tell them everything, I'm sure everyone will be able to trust one another completely now."

Golbez stared at her for a moment before nodding his appreciation. "They should still be at Ultimecia's Castle right now." He informed them and with their hearts soaring with hope, the five warriors began walking.