Just like with Palitutu. Sephiroth could hardly believe his eyes as those with similar moral compasses that had resulted in the preservation of the life of that great deceiver, that villain to all, eagerly went about extending the exact same terms to Garland as he was lent against his sword. Garland, their enemy in every way, who they all knew could never exist in cooperation should the end of the cycle be the ultimate goal.

It was too soon. As all powerful and spectacular as the Knights had been, exactly as promised, Sephiroth hadn't moved or even lowered his sword much; narrowing his eyes like tiny green daggers into the form of the apparently fallen Emperor. Expectant to the last.

Finally, some sense!

"Jade is right. Finish it and fall back." Sephiroth's voice was short, bordering on impatient but sharp as well in it's urgency. He wouldn't bet on his gut instinct which was screaming for everyone within mid-to-close range around that man to get back, but at the same time it was almost sickening in what he expected to happen now.

"That man is only the shell, not the real enemy. A soul that's been re-used again and again. The real fight -Chaos- has yet to begin."

He re-tensed his frame, holding Masamune tightly still to his shoulder with the blade arched forward like a giant pincer, and re-cast ShinRa Guard now that the debuff hell was over. A very slight nod to his head at Akane as her buff further readied him for battle.