The Way of the Gatekeepers
I
-It may look like fun and games, but the Gatekeepers are a proud race of warriors.
-While they dislike combat, they will turn and face any enemy that takes their back.
II
-Should you fail to sneak up on them, they will realize they have over-estimated their enemy and depart in disgust.
III
-Sneak up on the cactaurs when their backs are turned to confront them. It's better that way, believe me.
Now all of that means this: when you find a cactaur, you are challenged to a game of red light, green light. When his back is turned to you, you must try and run to catch him. When he turns around to see if you're moving, he will say "Needled me!" in Al Bhed, and you must stop running. You get 3 chances for each of the Cactuars. If you fail to catch the cactuar, he'll give you a Sphere del Perdedor. However, if you succeed, the cactuar will give you a stone bearing his name. The more times you succeed, the better the item you get when you go into Cactuar Village. Below is the chart.
0-2 Named Spheres | Potion |
3-5 Named Spheres | Elixer |
6-7 Named Spheres | Megalixer |
8-9 Named Spheres | Friend Sphere |
The Cactuar Stone
Head to Bikanel Island (the Sanubia Desert) by way of Airship. Once there, go through the desert until you change screens 3 times. You should find a big span of nothing, if you went to the right. If not, then you came out to the left of the big nothing. If you came from the left, just walk right until you find a wall. Hug it from the south side until you come upon a stone with the picture of a cactuar on it. If you came from the south, then just go north until you hit that wall, and go right until you find the cactuar stone. At this time, it will start giving you clues. VERY IMPORTANT: If you would like to keep your sanity, I advise you get some purifying salts by catching fiends from various areas and heading back to the Calm Land Monster Arena.
First Cactuar: Tomay
10 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Tomay's gone. Gone to fetch the water. Be back soon.
This means that you'll need to either: a) go to the nearest save sphere, board the airship and go back to Bikanal Island, or b) walk back to the first save sphere, with the ocean by it. However you get there, you'll find a little cactuar running around. Touch him to play red light, green light.
-Duties: Fetching Water. Takes his time and, as a result, is often left behind.
-A little dim.
Second Cactuar: Rovivea
9 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Rovivea's gone walkabout. Be back soon.
This clue's quite vague, but I'll help you with it. First, head from your current location to Sanubia Desert-East (wish I would've written more descriptly, sorry, just wander to different screens until you can go to the menu and it says East on it). From there, find a save sphere. He'll be in/around a tent by it.
-Has no patience for certain dim-witted friends.
-Not a progessive thinker.
Third Cactuar: Chava
8 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Little Chava likes big numbers.
Probably my favorite cactuar, Chava can be found by the sign in the same area as the Cactuar Stone. Go behind the sign that has faded numbers showing "20% off" and you'll find him.
-Recently learned to count to 50.
-A little needy.
-Attention-deficit.
Fourth and Fifth Cactuars: Alek and Aloja
7 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Alek and Aloja play tag in the ruins of men. Be back soon.
Probably my second favorite cactuars... You can find them in Sanubia Desert-Central, by the ruins. To get here, go from your current location west-southwest, and exit the screen. On the next screen, you should find the two cactuars running around. Tag one, and you'll start the game.
-2 brothers, rarely seperated.
-They move as one, their closeness a paragon of brotherhood.
Sixth Cactuar: Vachella
5 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Vachella seeks the shining blue. Be back soon.
To find Vachella, go down two screens to the save sphere inside a tent. Pretend to use it, and Vachella will appear.
-Loves new things.
-Hard on others, easy on self.
-Stingy.
Seventh Cactuar: Robeya
4 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Robeya's stuck inside.
I'm pretty sure that this cactuar is in the same area as the Cactuar Stone. From your current location, go as far as west as possible, and hug the western wall northwards. If you see any treasure chests, open them. Inside one, you should find Robeya. If not, then try a few different screens.
-A real needle brain.
-Likes cramped spaces.
-Check out his great collection!
Eighth Cactuar: Isrra
3 little gatekeepers play in the sand... A fiery inscription--The lord of the hole is gone. Isrra thinks.
This cactuar's located in the same locale as the cactuar stone, but you have to leave that screen then re-enter. After that, you'll find him in one of the whirlpools, playing around.
The philosopher about town.
-Today, he digs holes. Again.
-A cautious sort.
Ninth Cactuar: Elio
2 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Much curious Elio has left on a journey. Be back soon.
Another one of my favorites, this little cactuar's quite adventurous. First, go to the nearest save sphere, then board the airship. From there, head back to Bikanel Island, then pretend to use the Save Sphere. At this time, the cactuar will use the save sphere and board the airship! From there, board the airship again, and head to the outside deck. You'll find the cactuar playing around. Then he'll go kamikaze and throw himself off of the airship!
-To see what lies beyond the sands, he travels far to distant lands.
-Hyper-reactive and a bad poet.
Tenth Cactuar: Flaile
1 little gatekeeper plays in the sand... Flaile is always behind.
This cactuar shows up directly behind you.
-The guy you never invite but he always shows up anyway.
-Cheeky.
After you get the tenth and final cactuar, the cactuar stone talks once more.
10 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Tomay's gone. Gone to fetch the water. Gone for good.
9 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Rovivea's gone walkabout. Gone for good.
8 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Little Chava likes big numbers. Gone for good.
7 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Alek and Aloja play tag in the ruins of men. Gone for good.
5 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Vachella seeks the shining blue. Gone for good.
4 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Robey's stuck inside. Gone for good.
3 little gatekeepers play in the sand... A fiery inscription--The lord of the whole is gone. Isrra thinks. Gone for good.
2 little gatekeepers play in the sand... Much curious Elio has left on a journey. Gone for good.
1 little gatekeeper plays in the sand.. Flaile is always behind. Gone for good.
10 little gatekeepers play in the sand. Nobody's here. The sand is gone.
After that, the sandstorm around Cactuar Village has disappeared, allowing you passage to Rikku's Sigil and a mass of cactuar battles.