Is This Venat / Hydaelyn? MAJOR FFXIV Endwalker Theory!

[@Soldier1stClass]

*clears throat* I WAS RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@willowkaiser4036]

I believe we getting emet selch back has well he is our twin nal and we are thal say so at the Church of

[@gbtygfvyg]

@@willowkaiser4036 We're Azem tho

[@maxmax-pi7kw]

everyone knew it's not a feat

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thanks for your valued contribution to the conversation. If you’d kindly read the below comments and see that there are people who didn’t know, or you could continue to be a jackass. Your choice

[@maxmax-pi7kw]

@@Soldier1stClass sorry i was rude, at the reveal of the poster everywhere i go EVERYONE knew it is venat, with exception of people who did not notice the mask and thought it might be menphina, so yeah, you and dozens and dozens of people were right :)

[@norwayjalyn]

I knew it! Tataru Taru is Zodiark! and that girt is Moonfilia..

[@CRaZyAbOuTYuGi]

Huh? But tataru is always been help the scion? So how the fk she zodiark , please la dun falsely make fake claims

[@titanqore1813]

@@CRaZyAbOuTYuGi no, tataru is definitely zodiark

[@nixluxobscurumventz2921]

@@CRaZyAbOuTYuGi mega whoosh

[@ZephWraen]

"Forgive me Zodiark, for I must simp" Lmao! 😂

[@d_aye_d]

How bad were you sobbing with the news of soken? That man is legendary. Him and Yoshi-P will be solidified as warriors of light in final fantasy history

[@Soldier1stClass]

I didn’t lose it until I saw Yoshi P crying and said “I’m just glad my best friend is back”. Then I started sobbing hard

[@d_aye_d]

@@Soldier1stClass I watched it several times and it made me tear up every time.

[@wadecombs5218]

Duuuude I think you completely nailed this. Nice job! HYPE

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thanks! I put a lot of work and research into this one!

[@gretchendo467]

Great job! I hadn't noticed the Anyder similarities. I love how this theory ties perfectly into the light being passive and dark being active.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I tried to connect everything as well as I could. I’m sure there are things I missed though. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@xSHIELDBREAKERx82]

I'd love it if you and Ethys had a talk about this. Because honestly you make good points and he can surely elaborate on some points.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I’d actually love to chat with Ethys sometime. We follow each other on Twitter, I might have to hit him up sometime

[@irkallla]

Usually I blow of videos like this because they feel like wild guesses thrown out like cheap candy. But you did An amazing job backing it up.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thanks! I worked really hard on this one, so I definitely appreciate that. I try to base all my theories in reality, because I feel like the ones that are the most believable, are the best type. Especially ones that can use existing lore to prove how they could be real.

[@papasfritas3853]

Amazing theories as always. It almost felt like i was spoiled here lol

[@Soldier1stClass]

LMAO those are the best kind. I love rooting my theories in reality so I don’t look stupid haha

[@stephenlock6542]

Also, it is interesting that Venat is the same name as the Occuria from FFXII who wanted to defy its own people by allowing men to be free of the manipulation of the Occuria themselves. I’m sure there is a stark connection there as well

[@Soldier1stClass]

Exactly. Fandaniel also represents a little bit of Venat when it comes to goals as well.

[@stephenlock6542]

Really awesome video! Glad you got recommended to me!

[@Soldier1stClass]

Me too!

[@CC-df3pn]

The 12 lore plays a massive part in te names of all the known Ascians as well. Their glyph masks are all taken directly from 12 and their names are the "Scions of light" you hear about in the 12 lore. So Emet selch is mentioned in the lore of Zalera the death Seraph, Fandaniel in Hashmal's lore, Lahabrea for Mateus etc etc

[@stephenlock6542]

@@CC-df3pn , man, this makes me sad to know how much potential FFXII had. It’s lore is so deep and compelling, but no one knows anything about it because SE buried all of it in journal entries. There was so much meat left on the bone that was never explored. How many people actually knew there were Light counterparts to the 12 esters?

[@tenebraequeene]

I hope you're right! This seems the most likely, I think! Also love the new image! Really repping that Namazu (and Ascian) life!

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thanks!

[@gateauxq4604]

A Namazu Ascian is now headcanon for me. Maybe it’s Labread’s real form.

[@Soldier1stClass]

@@gateauxq4604 LMFAO

[@GENOSANDIEGO]

Not so long ago, you finished Shadowbringers, and now you're already making theory vids and damn, they're pretty good (and concise)! This is some great addition to the vast amount of FFXIV content we already have, and we're full glad to have you onboard.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate that honestly. I’ve been nervous about doing Final Fantasy XIV content because I feel so far behind, but I’ve fallen in the love with the world and the game, and I’ve been reading and doing so much research. Just taking it all in. Thanks for having me haha

[@GENOSANDIEGO]

@@Soldier1stClass Brian from @Work To Game said it best. If you want to create content, even if a lot of people are already doing it, just post it and let the viewers decide. The great thing about KZbin is that we're free to watch any variety of content we want from a variety of creators. Theory vids and lore vids on FFXIV is one of those content less covered, as I only know Ethys and The Speakers Network covering stuff like this (there's probably more, I just don't know). Seeing this video though, it made observations that make a lot of sense and are not baseless assumptions, and is delivered in a concise manner. Whether it's going to be correct or not is irrelevant. I'm glad to know that this is the content you're going for and looking forward to your future theory / lore videos.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Seriously though, thank you so much. Sometimes I struggle with confidence when it comes to breaking into certain niches on KZbin but it’s nice to know I did a good job. I used to do this stuff with Remake, but since I’ve given up on that game, I’ve been really struggling with what it was I’ve wanted to do. I love XIV so much (I’m actually reading the Encyclopedia Eorzea right now for research for my next video), and I really want this to be what I do from now on. This and XVI that is.

[@acgearsandarms1343]

Here is some stuff I want to bring to notice. Venat is like the Ascians. Specifically Elidibus. As such, if she doesn’t have a physical form, she will only be visible to those with the Echo. I think if she chooses to, she can create a humanoid form matching that of the common Hyur like races that the Ascians commonly take on. If not, Venat could take a form based on Minfilia like a leftover imprint. I really doubt she would possess an unwilling host due to the motive behind the opposing faction and Hydaelyn’s own stance on free will. Here’s my theory. Hydaelyn hasn’t been able to speak with us directly because Venat has separated since Heavensward. Thus the need for Minfilia as her proxy. I think the situation was dire enough for Venat to intervene. But she won’t get a chance to speak with us proper until Patch 5.55. I think she needs us as we need her to put an end to this conflict because she has the foresight to look at the potential catastrophe. Whether or not she is an ally turned enemy, we will see. Extra thought. You know that Emet-Selch in Tales from the Shadows was said to have white hair in his original form. Perhaps white/silver hair is a common trait among them. And the woman’s hair is noticeably lighter than blonde.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Here’s the thing about Hydaelyn though, hosts wouldn’t necessarily have to be unwilling. But they could be convinced. Look at Minfilia specifically. Used as a host, but Minfilia has been conditioned to believe that Hydaelyn is righteous, and would become a willing host. Or ya know, it could be a dead person that Venat just took over, like Emet does when he comes back as Solus, and Elidibus does as Ardbert and Zenos lmao we also don’t know how twisted her ideals and memories have become because of the similar situation with Elidibus. He doesn’t remember much more than his duty, a fact we know from 5.2 or 5.3 (I don’t remember which patch that specific scene takes place in, although I’m pretty sure it’s 5.3). I also personally believe that Fandaniel was a Judas type character, and Venat was who he betrayed the convocation to. I also think you may be right about when the separation occurs, although I don’t have much to support an actual time frame of her separation. I think what I’m 99% sure about though, is that Venat is the figure we see at Silvertear Lake

[@TwinSpiritTV]

This is pretty incredible work. Well done! I feel like the song lyrics that play out during the Endwalker trailer, when Old Sharlayan is featured, further adds to this theory. {Amanda Achen} Our song of hope, *she* dances on the wind Higher, oh, higher Ere our foes endure Everything still willing and strong Standing tall in the dark, ‘til we carry on On wings of hope, you rise up through the night Higher, oh, higher Carrying a song Raise our verse (with)in our hearts That its chorus might ring for all! {Sam Carter} One brings shadow, one brings light Two-toned echoes tumbling through time Tumbling down! Tum-bl-ing down!

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you! And it is interesting looking at the lyrics because they’re just as important to the story as the dialogue sometimes. So many secrets to unlock! I love it!

[@Anvalusable]

To build further onto this: I think we might end up in some kind of conflict with Venat. Like, we would need to free Zodiark to fully stop the End, but she obviously would not like that.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Oh I 100% believe that we face off with Venat at some point.

[@_Encie]

Since the unsundered are gone, there is no one else to keep the balance between light and dark, except us, right?

[@fraser7211]

Shall we also team up with and revive all the Primals we've faced before? Would make for one kick ass climax for sure lol.

[@dedarkshadow]

We will have to. Hydaelyn was created as a balance for Zodiark. If we destroy him, Hydaelyn has to go to keep the balance no?

[@davidbrooks2872]

I agree, we are going to have to put an end to both in order for they're to be true balance

[@SnackerWolf]

"So, Venat can reborn across times and influence the world for the sake of Hydaelynn" Me, as an intellectual : "That's not Venat or Hydaelyn, but Myyah (Miang) from Xenogears !"

[@Soldier1stClass]

LMAO YEAH 😂

[@SilverShinethepony]

After you said that the theme of these expansions tends to be coming around full circle, I immediately thought about the au ri creation myth of Azim and Nhaama and how they fought with each other until the au ri themselves embraced love and harmony with one another and then the gods were satisfied to take leave and let the au ri live for themselves. I think that maybe this might be the circle that Endwalker will be closing.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I guess that’s entirely possible and would fit within the lore of the world, especially since the old AuRa lady in the Azim Steppe mentions to us about the stars.

[@SilverShinethepony]

@@Soldier1stClass If I am thinking of the right dialogue, then that would be the convo where Temulun asks the WoL to stay behind to tell them that she notices their light within and to cherish the stars and their light because they are a traveler. Now that I have rewatched that scene, I think its very interesting that she mentioned some people are meant to rise while others fall and that the two of them will be their "strength and salvation come the end." That statement itself is a little vague but I find there's nevertheless a prophetic quality to it that might just be clarified in Endwalker. Anyway, great theories you brought up and I'm glad KZbin recced this to me today!

[@Soldier1stClass]

I’m glad it did too! Welcome to the channel! There’s more like this to come!

[@melanclock]

I do feel like the goal from this point would be to reconcile haedalyn and zodiark and either restore balance between them or solve the end of days problem another way

[@lillyenovis15]

@@SilverShinethepony I really like Temulun. I think when she talked about some fated to rise and others to fall, and both being our strength, it was another way of referring to “those we have lost”, who are in fact a source of strength and resolve for us. Also, Ardbert fell, and he was our salvation in the end of ShB

[@tristant.7581]

Love the food for thought! I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see some of this pan out. Your idea about the potential connection between Venat and Sharlayan makes a lot of sense to me. Since you bring up the Minfilia connection, I wonder if she might have also been an influence in Minfilia's reasons for starting the Path of the Twelve. The common nautilus symbol is also a good catch! When you put them side by side like that, the similarities are really apparent. Having someone like Venat have some influence in Sharlayan would explain a lot of the similarities in their culture and aesthetics. Iirc, they mentioned in a live letter that Anamnesis would be a dungeon that might later come to have a different meaning to us... I wonder if part of it is the choice to put Shire gear recolors there lol I really like the idea that the pro-Hydaelyn slant of the Encyclopaedias could be connected on a meta level, too! Maybe this all would even relate to the idea of the twelve Archons. I have a feeling that the Twelve are related to the nature of Hydaelyn somehow, so maybe that's another myth or concept that Venat would have intentionally propagated.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you! I believe that the 12 are based on convocation members if I’m completely honest. If you look at Final Fantasy XII’s zodiac system, there’s two Espers that don’t have Scions of Light attached to them, Ultima and Zodiark. So with that being the case, Altima and Elidibus are the ascians subtracted from that. Azeyma is clearly based off of us. I think we’re going to see something insane in the new alliance raid relating to the ascians and our origins.

[@LdyVaJedi]

Thanks for the theory. I have a feel you are correct. It's going to be interesting to see how all of this is going to play out.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you for watching!

[@networknomad5600]

Labyrinthos is an underground Sharlayan area, meant to act as a kind of fallout shelter so that Sharlayans can survive any umbral catastrophe. It's quite clear that the architecture is Sharlayan, not Amaurotian.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Yes, I know what the location is and that it’s Sharlayan. But if you compare it to the Akadaemia Anyder, they’re fairly similar. You must’ve missed the part where I compared the two and said that they’re similar in nature. It’s during the segment where I’m talking about Venat founding Sharlayan, and that Labyrinthos could be a version of the Anyder that was modeled after her memories of the location in Amaurot. So again, I know it’s Sharlayan and that’s why it fits into my theory during this segment on Sharlayan.

[@tracyboyall2631]

I'm loving your take on the lore of FFXIV. You've earned yourself a sub.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you! And welcome to the channel! You should check out today’s video, I took a shot at discovering where the real Amaurot is located

[@funkytown7636]

If it is Venat, I'm wondering if she'll recognize the WoL, as Azem

[@Soldier1stClass]

It’s possible that at some point she will. Or she already does and just hasn’t let on. Tbf, the first time you login to the game, the sun can be seen behind you, and is a major focus of one of the camera angles in the first scene which involves with Hydaelyn.

[@funkytown7636]

@@Soldier1stClass Or she did recognize the player's character as Azem and being the heart of Hydaelyn, she's the reason they became the WoL and Hydaelyn's chosen, to begin with.

[@saralovelace7219]

@@funkytown7636 THIS. We were chosen on *purpose*. Our soul was recognized, now that it's over halfway whole, and Venat/Hydaelyn knew we were too potentially dangerous to her to not be under her control.

[@funkytown7636]

@@saralovelace7219 Though I don't believe the WoL is tempered by Hydaelyn, like Venat possibly is.

[@shh532]

@@funkytown7636 WoL is described as tempered early on by the Ascians in ARR, effectively the protection against primals is that you can't be tempered twice. I suspect a lot of Endwalker will be about trying to break that tempering and the potential ramifications of it as Hydaelyn tries to take control.

[@BathingInAcheron]

Ever since Stormblood revealed that half Garlean guy with the Echo, it made me see it as similar to tempering and I told my FC friends I believed Hydaelyn was in fact a primal this whole time. Shadowbringers proved my suspicion correct. Learning more about the Amourotine society, I started to sense that Venat/Hydaelyn would be the main villain in the end, and now that is starting to seem likely. They were only hunches, but I still wasn't emotionally prepared when all was eventually revealed. Tl:dr Endwalker is going to break me

[@Soldier1stClass]

LMAO yeah I actually want Endwalker to break me. Shadowbringers did and I loved it. It caused XIV to become my favorite game of all time.

[@lillyenovis15]

Out of curiosity, what was it about Arenvald specifically that tipped you off? Also, it absolutely makes sense that in Endwalker we’ll eventually face off against Venat/Hydaelyn, because we have to destroy the remaining sundered Ascians and both of the primals they summoned in order to put this story arc to rest, else it won’t truly be finished

[@commanderkitsune8524]

Another clue I picked up while doing a NG+ of Shadowbringers patches. Considering that the secret base of the Ancient splinter group that summoned Hydaelyn is right underneath an academy speaks a strong hint that the Sharlayan island, which could be seen as one giant academy, contains the secret base of the Cult of Hydaelyn. The activity up top is just a front. I noticed this wasn't part of your vid so i thought I'd mention it myself, as a fellow lore lover. Can't wait to see how many of your well thought out theories end up being fact in a few months.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I’m trying to remember but I think in my Venat/Fandaniel working together video, I mention this exact thing, but I can’t remember lmao but it is an interesting point.

[@lolcat5303]

An interesting fact is that the celtic styled symbols on her outfit (and also possibly the lines you mention in the artwork behind the crystal) are similar to the symbology on the cryptwalker outfits... those Bloodborne inspired sets.

[@shoulderpyro]

As much death, misery and pain the rejoining would bring, the more and more i find out about Emet and his history and ideals, the more I'm switching to his side of viewing things.

[@Soldier1stClass]

WELCOME BROTHER lmao

[@Aemeris98]

Gotta think about how much death misery and pain is caused via the sundering and the death caused by people having mortal lives too. Theoretically the rejoining would save more lives in the long run.

[@DualEdgest]

Eludibus destroyed one of the shards completely, leaving it as the Void. They were never going to fully unsunder everyone, they messed up long ago. He would never be satisfied.

[@Aemeris98]

@@DualEdgest Elidibus didn’t do that first of all. That’s misinformation. Second of all after Eden’s story we know it’s not impossible to restore a shard. So it’s still very possible:

[@katsu9582]

Aw yeah i felt so bad after his final words. i had a knot in my throat. x) but the more happier i was as he helped vs elidibus that was a "WHAAT fk yeah " Moment

[@Juan-Dering]

It might be a possibility that sealed in the lake were surviving concepts from Amaurot. Possibly even the remains of what was in the real Akadaemia Anyder, and they were released in the battle, which possibly include some of those familiar monsters recognized in the dungeon that get seen throughout the world too.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I honestly believe that Fandaniel has triggered the sound again in Endwalker, which is why the terminus beasts are in all the promotional material and trailers.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I’m actually working on a theory right now that involves Amaurot and where I believe it actually is.

[@rileyboy10]

@@Soldier1stClass That doesn’t make much sense however as the Terminus beasts were created by the ancients creation magic going out of control. Unless the story suddenly explains they were somehow kept dormant after the sundering took place. That also wouldn’t make too much sense either because that would mean those beasts would’ve escaped the sundering unaffected, which would be strange as the only reason Emet and the other two escaped was because of Zodiark, and even then they lost their original forms. And the only other reason I can think of is that the towers would be used to summon these Terminus beasts but 99.9% of people on the source have no idea the Terminus beasts existed and so wouldn’t be able to summon them to begin with in the way the towers are forcing people to summon Eikons. People on the source obviously lack the creation magic of old so the sound wouldn’t do anything even if it is re-created. Unless it has a different effect like turning people themselves into the beasts, or I guess the sound could put the image of those beasts into peoples minds and force them to summon them through the towers. That’s the only way I can see them re-creating the final days.

[@Soldier1stClass]

So, in the First, we go through a recreation of the final days. Emet was able to recreate the event through his memories. We could fight and die against these enemies. We also know that the auracite we see in Anamnesis Anyder, is the keeper of concepts of Amaurotine creation magics. We’ve also seen dungeons coming in Endwalker that have these things. I also just released a video today about where I believe the real Amaurot is located. If that is Amaurot, and the concepts auracite are still there, Fandaniel could be using them to recreate the final days on the source. The Amaurotines were a society of research. After Zodiark saved the star, the Amaurotines probably saved some of the terminus beasts as concepts for research and possible recreation. If you look at the moon segment of the new trailer, the FIRST BEAST is on the moon attacking the WoL, where Elidibus had been stationed before Shadowbringers. How did this creature end up on the moon if the Ascians can’t recreate them? All the enemies in the trailer are Terminus Beasts from the final days. All of them. Yes, they were originally made by creation magic gone haywire, but if Emet can recreate them in the First, I don’t see why Fandaniel can’t recreate them on the Source.

[@rileyboy10]

@@Soldier1stClass Fandaniel can't re-create them himself because he is sundered, Emet was a master of creation magics and was unsundered, meaning he had far more power at his disposal than Fandaniel does. It's the same reason we can't use creation magic as we're not in full possession of our shards/soul to have the required aether possible to use that level of ability. But you could be right on him having access to the concepts for those Beasts and Amaurot knowledge, if he found the information required to create those towers and engineer these lunar primals it indicates he has info behind the final days that Emet likely never revealed to us, and perhaps feeding those concepts into the towers to make people summon the first beasts could be a way to do it. Also I wouldn't put much weight on the WoL being attaked by the first beast on the moon, in the heavensward's trailer we see multiple dragons that all look like hraesvelgr show up and attack Ishgard, of course that never actually happens, hraesvelgr's model is unique and he never attacks Ishgard. So I would take that with a grain of salt. They're known to use models just for the sake of creating cool scenes. I would be suspect to random First beasts roaming the moon given the fear Ascians had of them. And how important the moon is to them. Of course thats subject to change now only Fandaniel remains. Bare in mind that Emet's recreation was simply just that, an Illusion given form by aether. A lot of what we see during Amaurot dungeon doesn't make sense as one minute we're fighting these recreations during a burning Amaurot and the next we're in space orbiting then planet fighting them, only then to be fighting Hades on a platform surrounded by destroyed buildings with an open sky. So how much of that is actually "real" and just a simple illusion is up for debate as you see none of those areas around the fake Amaurot he created until you step inside the doorway. One could make the argument he watered down the Terminus beasts we encounter as the aether required would've been immense. To give form to so many creatures? in that case he wouldn't of needed to make beast tribes summon primals on the source, he could've just done it himself. I think there is a big difference between his enchantment magics on the first and actual creation magic however. as its stated they will fade away other time, but creation magic seemed to create actual living breathing creatures.

[@Zoeila]

I dont think venat will be the final boss but theres a piece of evidence in the trailer to support your theories about sharlayan. Right before the transition into cg god rays shine down on old sharlayan. I personally think the final boss will be something representing pandora.

[@Khalmidgar]

What I would love to happen wont, but would be awesome. We are transported to the future in the beginning of the game to avoid bahamuts destruction. While technically the other players are supposed to be warriors of light too, we arrive alone. What would be amazing to me is during a climactic battle tons of warriors of light are brought in, arriving at a later point in the future then us. Like it was known the battle would happen, and they were saved to be there at that moment. You could even add in wols with old jobs they cut or other callbacks to 1.0.

[@SockOrSomething]

I feel like zenos gonna be a good guy somehow. That face fandaniel makes at him near the end as Zenos looks up at the moon where the WOL is. The transition from zenos to WOL also seems to imply that the two of them see Eye to Eye. And Zenos does see us as his friend. Maybe he really is and has been a friend. He could be a piece of some ancient we once knew. I don't see FFXIV doing the same exact thing for his story and character development. The Endwalker art also makes me feel he may help us in someway.

[@piersoncalley2236]

The way he's painted in that art leads me to believe the same thing; though it still feels like a stretch, but how many things did before Shadowbringers?

[@NineLuzgar]

Definitely thinks that too considering he's besides the scions in the artwork :D can't wait

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thanks for watching everyone! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and ring that notification bell to join the Ranks of Soldier today! Also, be sure to let me know your Endwalker theories in the comments section below!

[@cesblazikenturmoil9455]

Not gonna lie bro, but you opened the right tree of probabilities. I've always wondered what became of the Amurot faction that followed Hydelyn, and the silver lake thing, that was interesting.

[@Gangerworld]

Nice theory. I don't agree with all of it but I think you're right about that being Venat and that being the final boss. Nice work.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you! Honestly, I'm glad not everyone agrees, cause I could be way off, and I like seeing different perspectives

[@SubduedRadical]

In case you hadn't seen: The official FFXIV channel here on KZbin added the 1.0 trailer - including the Battle of Silvertear Lake - to their main channel, posting it yesterday evening. Very interesting...

[@Soldier1stClass]

Oh I saw it lmao I got the notification and immediately went to Twitter to freak out lmao

[@ViewTube_Emperor_of_Mankind]

That woman is Hydaelin herself. Hydaelin is not gonna have some dark twist like the Naaru from world of warcraft. She was born out of "pure good" and selflessness while Zodiark was born out of despair and survival no matter the cost. Hydaelin will reflect that dream of our life to go on while her and Zodiarks story will come to an end. At the end of Endwalker Hydaelin and Zodiark will be gone.. maybe we will keep some token-hydaelin like with the dragon.. getting her as an NPC for the Scions but her and Zodiarks power will be gone for good. The real question is "rejoining or not"! We have stars that are destroyed or almost destroyed. More stars leave a lot of writing room for future expansions but it will always keep the story of possible rejoining volatile. I'm looking forward to whatever the writers have in store for us.. so far every expansion surprised me and I never imagined all the wonderful story they cooked up for us. I got my right "prophecies" here and there but the overall narrative for the future is so open.. I love it.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I mean in a way, your first statement is true, but also false. The physical embodiment is that of Venat. She’s the heart of Hydaelyn. And much like Elidibus, she can break free of the primal, and keep her physical form. So the woman we see at Silvertear is Venat.

[@Omnis.satanica.potestas_omnis]

Hydaelyn usually appears to be very passive when it comes to the world - she usually lets it run its course. I'm not sure whether she is actively implied in Sharlayan or simply communicates with them. Maybe they've found a way to reach her through their research. Either way, the Sharlayans definitely knew that the Final Days were coming again and I believe the underground area is the final version of a self-sustaining apocalypse bunker. They probably plan to preserve all the knowledge until the disaster passes, while we aim to prevent it from happening completely. Also, an interesting fact is that while Hydaelyn probably cherises all life, her primary purpose is to stop Zodiark and make sure that we are free to do what we want. We also have quite a few reasons to believe that she's currently very weak. Therefore, she probably can't do anything against the Final Days. But you know who can? Zodiark. "But his heart is dead". Is it though? As far as I can recall, Elidibus's aether went into the crystal tower in the first, not into the wind. Call me a madman, but wouldn't it be awesome if we sought Zodiark's help against the Final Days? We'd probably get to meet our old friends in the Convocation through him and he would probably sacrifice all of his remaining life force for our... salvation. He was created for the Final Days and he will die along with it. But before that, Hydaelyn will try to stop us from freeing Zodiark, which is where I believe we will have to fight her. And the story of Hydaelyn and Zodiark is over. Both are dead. Or rather, both are free to be reincarnated and live in the new world.

[@Soldier1stClass]

So, passive is a strange word for me. Using WoL’s to take on the Ascians is less passive. But, she’s also not constantly in the middle, hence her absence from Heavensward to Shadowbringers where she pops back up again through Minfilia / Ryne. But, we can also say that she was the one who drew first blood and was created to stop Zodiark, meaning she was specifically created for the purpose of interfering. While that may not be her “true” nature overall, it doesn’t mean she’s just an observer either. I’m honestly not sure how I see their fights going down tbh. I don’t think Hydaelyn’s intent is exactly pure, and Zodiark’s as we know, not exactly evil. I fully believe that Venat and Fandaniel are in this together. Ishikawa was asked who her favorite NPC was, and she said they were unrevealed characters at the time, Fandaniel and his ???, so I’m thinking Venat is related to Fandaniel, and their intentions weren’t just to purely stop Zodiark. There feels like there’s a missing piece that we haven’t quite gotten yet. Venat will possibly rejoin with Hydaelyn at some point for our confrontation. Also, yeah, Elidibus isn’t dead. He’s in the Crystal Tower on the first. And I don’t really believe Emet’s dead either. Ascians are killed through White Auracite. Emet broke the Auricite before it killed him. The Axe is what finished him off. We also know that a part of him is inside the Azem stone too, hence what happened in 5.3. Im super excited to see it play out though

[@Omnis.satanica.potestas_omnis]

@@Soldier1stClass Good points and I fully agree. I believe the only reason Hydaelyn really interfered with the First was because she is still there to stop Zodiark, and rejoining the shards is basically opposed to her purpose. Apart from that, her secondary purpose is probably to "leave the world to the newly born lives" so that they (we) can forge a new future. As for Fandaniel, there's something that's really on my mind. How does he have so much power? Springing up those towers all across the planet should've been a pretty difficult task for an unsundered ascian, but Fandaniel is sundered. And this is where my mind started to wander and I remembered the crystals that we picked up back in Amaurot. The first one's speech is incomplete. And it's probably the first one so that we don't notice it unless we look back on it. But what if the crystal in question was... corrupted? Whatever caused the Final Days somehow managed to corrupt Fandaniel's crystal either by accident or by intent. And when he was restored to office using the corrupted crystal... we get a Fandaniel that is aligned with the Final Days. The story also doesn't shut up about primal tempering lately and its cure. This is a great discovery, because we have multiple reasons to believe that we ourselves are tempered, although the Elder Primals' tempering probably only means we exist to serve the same purpose as them. The Ascians wanted to save their world. We work towards stopping Zodiark. All of us blindly follow the primals' purposes. I think their influence is really subtle, but it's definitely still there. So when we have to turn to Zodiark for help, as per my past theory, we will find that not only Hydaelyn is opposed to us, but we also don't want to do it. In fact, it may not even cross our minds, but instead one of our allies says it for us. The crystal tower is said to hold a huge amount of aether, right? That has always been teased and reminded at the end of 5.3. We know reverting a primal's tempering requires a ton of aether, which is also something we keep seeing through the exhausted characters. And we're talking small primals here. Imagine how powerful an elder primal's tempering is. And this is why we need to get hit by a beam of aether from the crystal tower. A HUGE amount of aether to finally break our tempering.

[@juanvsreviews]

Dude, wow, you should do more Lore videos! You’re pretty good at it!

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you so much! I’ve done a few others, but this one was probably the one I’ve worked the hardest on.

[@CollinSamatas]

Really astute observations about the shape of the characters being in a crystal, and the pose of the woman on the top being analogous to Minfilia/Ryne. Interesting theory about Venat. She hasn't gotten as much exposition, but she does seem to play a pivotal role somehow.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Especially considering they made an entire quest in patch 5.2 dedicated to her and summoning Hydaelyn. They’re definitely gonna ramp up the conversations about her, especially since Elidibus is her direct counter and he was so important to the story leading up to 5.3 and I believe will continue to be.

[@grim_a7680]

I've been watching the trailer quite a bit since the song is so well built. I] noticed that Yshtola says "until the heavens fall..." however it doesnt make notice of the alliance... could it be that the alliance falls and Ishgard is the last remaining bastion which forces them to seek council with Old Sharlayan? I may be overthinking this one, but i refuse to start patch 5.5 now since the next one is so far into the future.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Trust me, it's worth it to start 5.55. It was short, but it's a really great patch. A lot happens in a short amount of time. A lot of lore gets dropped on us. I highly recommend playing it.

[@LerThiL]

Your totally up on something here! Thx

[@Valkross9]

Yeah, I think by the end of Endwalker we would have defeated at least an avatar of Zodiark and Hydaelyn. Also, if any of the scions will be further tempered, because I believe they already are, albeit not fully, by Hydaelyn, we already have the cure for tempering in Alisae's magic.

[@Soldier1stClass]

True but she has to have the porxie with her and it’s not a simple process either. It’s not just a snap of a finger. Especially with Hydaelyn tempering

[@Valkross9]

@@Soldier1stClass That's why me and my FC mates are looking into the theory of Alisae's cure for tempering playing a big part in EW. Maybe if you're right about their dad being tempered, they will cure him and that's how Graha gets into the secret libraries of Sharlayan.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Graha can get in the secret Library because he’s an archon. And it most certainly will play a huge role. I firmly believe that’s why it was introduced in the first place. Because even the lore book Encyclopedia Eorzea, claims that the only known cure for tempering was to be put to death, but they left it open there too. Rest assured, I fully believe that your theories are correct because I have the same thoughts.

[@baronlovat5200]

I think we'll have to defeat her so we can escape being tempered by Hydaelyn. I strongly believe we've been tempered and that the Echo is evidence of that. Kinda strange how our characters first moments are being wheeled around Hydaelyn in space with her speaking to us. We do her bidding, everyone on Eorzea revers her, and a lot more. But I think you're onto something, as I wouldn't see it as a stretch if Old Sharlayan Council wasn't the mirror reflection of the Convocation. It's also explain why the Ascians are so interventionist trying to control and forge everything, meanwhile the Sharlayans are very non-interventionist. It fits their Astral/Umbral affinities as well as aligns then with either Zodiark or Hydaelyn respectively. We also know Elidibus was 'reconciliation', which makes me think in the end, the way Zodiark and Hydaelyn are 'defeated' is effectively by them coming together and stopping their fight. I would not be surprised, if all of this stemmed back to a fight or even a lovers quarrel between two Ascians / Amaurotians. They had creation magic, they didn't see eye to eye, and when they created their deities, that dispute was reflected in the creation of them. Could probly go to the nines with this theory but I'm commented long enough lol. Nice video.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thanks! Appreciate the thoughts. I agree with a lot of your points tbh. There’s definitely things that come together when you dive deeper into it

[@rileyboy10]

The Echo doesn’t have much to do with being tempered. As the Echo is a left over ability from those who share a soul with an ancients/Amaurotian. It’s explained during 5.3. Awakening to the Echo is caused by witnessing an event that reminds those who’s souls were sundered, of the final days. As we’ve seen things like star showers seem to cause this to occur. Though as we see in 5.3 awakening to the Echo itself seems to allow people to hear Hydaelyns call. Weather that is her way of tempering new champions or not is hard to say. But it certainly fools people into thinking they’re chosen. And could just be a trick to get people to believe in her and fight for the side of light. Which seems to be the case. Our WoL is different because Hydaelyn actually considers us her champion and speaks to us directly but even for people like Krile who have the Echo and believe in Hydaelyn, she doesn’t seem to speak with her or many others directly like she does us.

[@AmandaComeauCreates]

The echo is like, eternal ptsd. Funny the fact should be brought up in an expansion with a song called eternal wind. It's echoing through all space and time like the sound of celestial bodies on a graviton level. It's happening all the time, over and over again. OR it's hydaelyn trying to actively prevent all sundered people's being tempered by Zodiark at all times by asking us to do the opposite of what most primal want: " To /think/ critically, to /hear/ the words of our loved ones, and to /feel/ free feelings".

[@calzonexiv]

In the trailer, we see the WoL in robes that make him look like an Ascian when we see his backside. I really think this is to symbolize Azem being the last Aumortine standing, and also to symbolize their stance regarding both Zodiark and Hydaelyn. Azem was against the summoning of both, and now we are tasked with ending the damage caused by the actions of our ancient fellows. I agree Venat is the woman in the poster and the light we see at Silvertear, and I agree Venat founded Sharlayan. But their stance of being observers seems counterintuitive to Venat's very essence; they were very much pro-active, wanting to save all the new life from being sacrificed to Zodiark even though they were aetherically weaker than the Ancients. That was the whole reason for summoning her in the first place, it was to preserve the world as it was and to stop Zodiark from taking any more life. So why then would the area Venat founded stand behind a proverbial wall and refuse to save the very life Venat and their fellows summoned this primal to protect? My guess is that it's because they are trying to protect the secret that Hydaelyn is a primal. If it was discovered, then the WoL and those with the Echo would not feel like they were special people chosen to protect the world. We of course found out because of our trip to the first, but if we had not, we'd still be in the dark about the truth. I think that's why they show Graha in a locked room in the bowels of the Sharlayan library; that is where all the secrets of Venat, the sundering, and Zodiark are held. I don't think Venat will be a boss, though. Given Venat's original desire and reason for summoning and creating Hydaelyn was to protect the new life, I think Venat is going to agree to entrust us with protecting the world, and aid us in defeating Zodiark (who I think is the actual end boss). Once Zodiark is defeated, I believe Venat will retreat back into Hydaelyn, and will no longer interfere as they will have deemed us the safekeeper of the Source. Why only destroy Zodiark? Because of the two, Zodiark is the only one that requires sacrifices in order to use its abilities. Hydaelyn has never demanded sacrifices, so I don't see it becoming an antagonist against our WoL.

[@Soldier1stClass]

So, here’s my thing about Venat. While she says her intentions were to stop Zodiark for the good of the people, she also directly caused her people to die out and become fragments of who they once were. She also claims that she’s the only one who could become Hydaelyn’s heart. Why? At one time, it was Lohgrif who was supposed to be Zodiark’s Heart, but they changed it to Elidibus. Why was it ok to switch Zodiark’s heart, but not Hydaelyn’s? I feel like she’s hiding something. And not just that Hydaelyn is a primal. There’s a reason she wanted to become Hydaelyn and I don’t think it’s as cut and dry as “she wanted to save the people”

[@calzonexiv]

@@Soldier1stClass I have a theory about why they changed the heart sacrifice to Elidibus. It's two fold, really. First, he was the Emissary and was thus supposed to be neutral and only care about the well being of the Star, which is why he always talks about sometimes standing with them and sometimes standing against them. The other reason, I think, is because he was young. When you see him after the SoS fight, did you notice his size? He's remarkably smaller than Emet's Ancient form, and if you travel around Aumourot there is a single young ancient, speaking to their parent who is sitting. This leads me to believe the Elidibus was very young, probably in his pre-teens or maybe early teens, and that is why they chose him. His mind was innocent and so he would not have any self-interest in his heart which made him the perfect vessel for Zodiark. I feel like Zodiark and Hydaelyn are like two computer programs. Both were given the same directive, but written in different ways that put them at odds. Perhaps, and it's a long shot, Venat regrets what happened, and removed themself in order to create Sharlayan in hopes of finding a way to rectify the wrongs she committed?

[@calzonexiv]

Side note, I think the only reason why Hydaelyn won her fight with Zodiark is because Elidibus had already removed himself, making Zodiark remarkably weaker to the full might of Hydaelyn. If we go by Elidus' story, he removed himself when the division started but before the sundering, which suggests he was removed from Zodiark before the creation of Hydaelyn. I don't think the fight was to cause the deaths of people, it was simply to keep Zodiark in check. but Venat would not have known Elidibus had vacated from the heart from Zodiark, and so probably didn't anticipate the sundering happening.

[@EsporHB]

Not bad. Really, not bad. Only a few little details wrong but mostly right. Really good call.

[@Ephremjlm1]

Something else to think about that just came to me. In 1.0 the tomb of xandes was said to be under ground and potentially under silvertear. What it'd labarynthos is the "ark" and is also the tomb of xandes which hydelyn was wanting to protect under silvertear? And now what if the primal that are non lunar come from hydelyn and the lunar versions come from zodiark. That would explain them shooting out in that 1.0 cut scene.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Xande was sealed in the Crystal Tower, which was underground until the 7th Astral Era. We also know the towers are sucking aether from the planet, and the lunar Primals are created in them. So I don’t think the Lunar Primals come from Zodiark tbh.

[@bahumut01]

There must be some history with venat and azem, if I recall hydaelyn has chosen champions before us but she never truly spoke to them until she interacts with us, either friends, lovers or siblings but still close to us like emet was

[@sawyer3244]

can't argue with that logic, after all, in FFIV you fight "The Creator" in the moon

[@alanhegewisch4486]

Is this the Alt Shift X of FF14??? Dude, this is top quality content!

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you! I work really hard on these theory videos so I appreciate the kind words

[@vincentbeton]

Great Theory and Details you bring up. If Hydaelyn tries tempering Thancred though , she better expect to be moved up on the chopping block list >_>

[@MiloKuroshiro]

To me, Urianger is the most likely to be tempered.

[@TheImaggine]

I think venat is Venat. Being the core of the god does not erase the idenity of the core itself Venat is just like elidibus. The only thing that makes him different from Venat is his obsession. Elidibus was Zodiark core and emissary So Venat is Hydaelyn's core and emissary. What is weird is , why did she appear now and not earlier? Maybe because restraining zodiark requires way more energy that we can think of? and over time the grip over him was growing weavier and weavier?

[@Soldier1stClass]

I think it’s because the Unsundered were around and now that they’re no longer in the equation (at least as far as we know right now, pandaemonium kinda changes things maybe). I’d say she was waiting for us to handle them before she made her appearance

[@bahumut01]

As the 1.0 trailer shows midgard released the seal on the beast tribes primals, ifrit has existed since the days of the ancients but as a different name so maybe all the other primals did too, that could be how she beat zodiark

[@Soldier1stClass]

Possible. Ramuh actually explicitly states that he’s existed as long, if not longer than both Hydaelyn and Zodiark

[@bahumut01]

@@Soldier1stClass so has ifrit but he was called ifrita at the time

[@bahumut01]

@@Soldier1stClass maybe that's how she beat him, she's a primal herself so she can temper so maybe she tempered an incarnation of primals to help

[@Soldier1stClass]

I guess it’s possible, but idk if Primals themselves can be tempered, even by another primal.

[@bahumut01]

@@Soldier1stClass maybe a weaker concept of them then

[@etowesho]

Wow. I thought Sharlayan looked like Akademia Andyer but I was like.....that’s impossible😅But this explains it so well!

[@kromheimgaming4171]

Something tells me that we'll be fighting Hydaelyn in some form or shape in Endwalker since Shadowbringers whole premise was about that both light and dark can cause a calamity.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I totally agree. And the fact that Yoshi P flat out stated that light doesn’t always mean good and dark doesn’t almost mean bad. I fully believe that Hydaelyn is not the good that people make her out to be.

[@kromheimgaming4171]

@@Soldier1stClass i wouldn't go far say she has bad intentions but as seen with Ardbert and his Crew. They did such a good job in hunting down Darkness that they disturbed the balance and tipped the scale heavily towards light that it caused the flood of light. If anything, Edens Story was here to show that every elements are needed in equal party so the world can function as it should. My theory is that we'll weaken Zodiark to a certain point so Hydaelyn can fuse with him like Garuda and Ifrit did in Eden so we can defeat him without the fear of causing another flood of light.

[@joshuacheong5678]

Hey Soldier! Great theory video as always!

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you! 🙏 Well according to one of the separatists, they wanted us to join them in summoning Hydaelyn and we refused. So I’m assuming that there’ll be some sort of Echo interaction there sometime, or we’ll get another flashback using the Amaurotine technology like in Anamnesis Anyder. If I’m being honest, I think Fandaniel and Venat are actually connected and I think it’s possible that Fandaniel was a type of Judas situation.

[@Dewulfi]

Interesting take, many things really make more sense now.

[@RaysofLight98]

The devs have been treating Zenos with a [poetic vision, I guess?] since he was introduced in Stormblood. Choice lines sound thoughtful. That final scene even had him lying in a bed of flowers. come on now. The devs have also been in talks about ending this series of events since Stormblood. Seems weird to set him up this way just to feed him to Zodiark or knock him out in an anticlimactic way during a dungeon a la Lunar Bahamut. If he isn't the final boss, they need to find some other meaningful way to use him.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Zenos just doesn’t scream final boss to me. He hasn’t had much motivation other than the sport of everything. No deep desire to destroy or save anyone. Just the thrill of the fight. I have a feeling that if Fandaniel is a lot like Kefka, which I’ve theorized a lot about, then Zenos is like Gestahl and Fandaniel will betray him as soon as his use has run out.

[@RaysofLight98]

​@@Soldier1stClass I can see that, but I also want them to put in the effort to strengthen the weakest parts of their earlier stories. Zenos is considered their weakest villain despite his relationship to their strongest, so even *if [*he will definitely be betrayed]... It would be good if they actually used him in a new and interesting way.

[@minmodulation]

by his very unassuming position in the poster, he could become a pseudo-ally himself lol. maybe he joins the fight against Venat because "its good sport" or whatever.

[@rileyboy10]

@@minmodulation I agree though I think it’s more likely we beat Zenos at his best once again. Maybe after he absorbs Zodiarks power hence the line from him of gorging on their strength only for him to finally admit defeat and for you both to have to team up against a greater threat like whatever it was that caused the original end of days by creating the sound that made creation magics go rampant. That way both Zodiark and Hydaelyn are gone and so is the threat that required them to be created.

[@minmodulation]

@@rileyboy10 zodiark+zenos being the second primal fight, and then zenos teaming up with us against The Sound(or something else) final primal fight, makes a lot of sense tbh

[@lpsmash]

This had good points

[@imacuttlefish6832]

My initial thought was that the white haired girl is somehow related to Fandaniel, since curiously, Fandaniel doesn't appear in the Endwalker keyart at all. Maybe that it's Fandaniel's [???] (Ms Ishikawa's message)* But I would actually subscribe to this theory instead. Then again, it could always be both, maybe Venat/the girl is relevant to Fandaniel's story as well. Anyways, I really liked the points presented and the theory is pre pog! Within the context of Shadowbringers, the whole point of Venat becoming the heart for Hydaelyn seemed a bit moot at the time, basically just served to show oh yea there was an equivalent to Elidibus being the heart of Zodiark. But now going into Endwalker, it's certainly gotta play a key role in the story events. *there's been a ton of speculation on that message and what Fandaniel's role might be in Endwalker, I was planning on creating a video about it myself at some point :P On the topic of the last boss. Maybe it's just ptsd from playing a ton of JRPGs lol but I have this gut feeling the final boss will be some cosmic entity only introduced at the very end. To be fair, FFXIV hasn't had any cases of "giant space flea from nowhere" final bosses, at least so far, but it's something Japanese writers love doing so I'm not writing it off for our epic final boss of this long arc.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Haha yeah I’m not sure who to think the final boss will be just yet. Also, I fully believe that Venat and Fandaniel are related. In the dungeon crawl video they released, if you look at the place that looks like one of Fandaniel’s towers, you can see the sharlayan spiral on the floor. I guarantee that Fandaniel was a Judas back in the final days or maybe even now, and Venat is pulling the strings

[@imacuttlefish6832]

@@Soldier1stClass Not only is that snail/spiral symbol the Sharlayan crest, but it can also be found in Amaurot, in Akadaemia. The Sharlayan crest taking it's roots from Amaurot would indeed mean that an Amaurotian is most likely responsible for forming Sharlayan! This, to be fair, isnt anything uncommon, as we do know that many nations in this game were formed by Ascian influence. But Sharlayan is kind of an interesting case cos unlike Allag or Garlemald and the like, its founded on an idea of no warfare which would be counterproductive for the task of causing a rejoining. But a nation formed on the principle of being secretive and not getting involved, well, ain't that just the perfect place for something or someONE to hide in hehe (basically Im saying I agree, theres a lot of reason to believe that one of those two, or both of them, are responsible for whatever fuckery is going on in Sharlayan)

[@Soldier1stClass]

Fuckery indeed lmao

[@mojomike]

Connecting Venat to Sharlayan seems like a stretch to me. More likely it was Ascians involved with them. We already know of one from the Alexander storyline that meddled with their affairs in the middle of New Sharlayan. The one that had that horn.

[@cindaflame]

This is such a COOL theory!! I was wondering who the heck that woman was. If she isn't Venat that's okay but mysterious mysterious! Looking forward to Early Access...but first Moogle Tomes, and Bojza stuffs. So much to do...so little time. :(

[@Soldier1stClass]

Yeah I’m not sure how I’m gonna handle early access lmao I want to stream my playthrough with the community, but it’s gonna be tough to wait haha

[@cindaflame]

@@Soldier1stClass I rushed through early access because I didn't want to be spoiled! But the community is pretty good at keeping spoilers to a minimum for streamers who are "behind". I know I'll be watching sing-songing "Spoilers!" in my best River Song voice. :D

[@UmatsuObossa]

Something I thought about was how Zodiark was supposedly the will of the PLANET, not the moon, and Lahabrea calls her a 'parasite'. I wonder then if actually the moon is Hydaelyn, and if a FRAGMENT of her isn't buried beneath Silvertear.

[@mismismism]

I 100% think Venat is gonna be the true villain of the expansion. Old Sharlayan is giving strong Bevelle vibes. Honestly, this could all be a grand scheme by the Telophori to kill everyone since unsundered Ascians can bring themselves back from the void, they could be responsible for the sound that forced them to make Zodiark, doing 2/3rds of the job, then Hydaelyn fractures everything and now, as long as Zodiark stays shackled, everything dies now that we took out Lahabrea, Emet and Elidibus. May be totally off base but I do not think Hydaelyn is good, she's also a primal and FF never really does truly good gods.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Yeah I definitely don’t see Hydaelyn as good either. I honestly think Venat and Fandaniel are working together tbh.

[@kohl2807]

I've had these crazy idea since I've started playing this game. Hydelyn is in the Moon. Zodiark is in the Earth. She's watching "over" him. We've found 7 crystals containing our souls from the 7 rejoinings that happened in ARR, and now shadowbringers is bringing us to 8 with Arbert crystal. Im not sure what we're gonna do about the void crystal, but I'm sure we'll find a way to retrieve it, there are literal creatures from the void in the trailer, and reaper class is also void related. So we'll go around collecting our crystals to become an immortal being, or to restore ourselves to Azem. Then we destroy both Hydelyn and Zodiark. And fight with Zenos. Even he said, "We shall gorge upon their strength and then our contest shall begin anew." I definitely don't see Hydelyn as a "good" and Zodiark as "bad". After all, Zodiark did nothing to suggest that he was going to do anything to the world, he only did what they prayed for to do. And in comes Hydelyn with "Anyway I started blasting" attitude. It's definitely gonna be interesting, and I can't wait to play through it.

[@aaronlefebre5060]

Honestly, I've always figured Hydaelyn would be the final boss of the Hyd-Zod arc, mainly because she'll be the last Primal after we take care of Zodiark and all the rest, and she'd need us to take her out since she couldn't self-terminate. It'll be a bittersweet ending of a sort, as she knows to free us from all Primal influence once and for all, she has to go as well. It'll be Alexander, but way more larger in scope.

[@killj0y500]

random fun prediction:Hadeleyn possess one tank,range and melee dps,and healer to lb 4 pulling the lahabrea part in ultima(ultimate)

[@ShadowZabre]

I think you're right about Venat being on the artwork. But I think you're wrong about the final boss being Venat. I think the OTHER Key Art, Made by Amano, is a stealthy showing of who the final boss is. I believe the Final boss is Anima, being Hydaelyn and Zodiark at the same time, and the gimmick of the Trial being having to kill them together or die by Flood of Light/Darkness. Venat, during their cutscene struck me as someone who was far too level headed to become like Elidibus. If Hydaelyn's sphere is in Separation, division of spirits, Venat could feasibly have split themself off perfectly, unlike Elidibus' accidental sundering (He states himself that separating from Zodiark caused himself to lose things), and as such Venat as Hydaelyn could have struck the deal with Midgarsromr, split Venat out and sealed them within the Silver Tear lake just in case of the rapid succession of Calamities caused Zodiark to become free. A back up plan, if you would. My Personal Theory is that Fandaniel isn't trying to just end the world. He's trying in his own twisted way to bring out Zodiark and Hydaelyn as a twisted sort of revenge. Cause the End of Days, force people to recall/awaken their ancient powers, and resummon Zodiark that way. Maybe his soul had been twisted and he hates BOTH Primals for taking away his loved ones (He might have been one of those who wasn't quite so willing to allow his loved ones sacrifice themselves to summon Zodiark, and Hydaelyn wasn't a good option either.). She his goal is to work with Zenos, summon Zodiark and let Zenos kill/eat it, so that the Warrior of Light would have to summon/channel Hydaelyn, and both can kill each other or he can finish off the weaker one. My idea is that he botches this because he's also suffering from a bit of the ol'Ascian insanity because unlike Emet who constantly refreshed himself with the stones, the others didn't. So he bungles it, dies in the final LEVELING dungeon lv89 with Zenos, And we fight the Half-summoned Zodiark, who, because he was never unsummoned, is grotesquely fused into Hydaelyn, and the two of them form the final boss fight. The fact they're both disfigured by the end, is because we fight them after the lv80 dungeon. Venat, Meanwhile, is portrayed as a possible third antagonist until the final act where she (using She now, because she's using a female body, and not her ungendered Ascian one, and from what we know about Gaia and Artemisia they CAN change gender based) reveals that no, She isn't tempered by Hydaelyn. None of the Echo blessed people are, because the Echo is of Creation Magicks, not a blessing of Hydaelyn. She then advises that the plan after being split off of Hydaelyn and leaving the primal a braindead corpse who could only constantly repeat herself, was to sleep until the next time of the "Final Days" so she could stop it from happening, or at least guide those who lived now to NOT follow the mistakes of the past.

[@Soldier1stClass]

That’s a very well thought out argument and I agree with some points. It’s up in the air who the final boss will be, but I can’t see Anima being it because of the fact that they revealed her. I can’t imagine they would straight up reveal the final boss this early. However, if were getting a final boss that’s not either Hydaelyn or Zodiark, then the “Sound” source is what I believe will be the alternative. We can rule out Fandaniel and Zenos because they already stated they aren’t the final bosses.

[@ShadowZabre]

@@Soldier1stClass Thanks for the Reply. And while I do understand that Anima has been shown as a new threat, They did not call the Magus sisters a Threat. They were a New Encounter, Like the Matanga and the Loporrits who directly followed them. By this time in Shadowbringers, we already knew about Both Titania and Innocence as Threats. Anima, as she (using it because she was a She in FFX) is very obviously a prisoner and wrapped in bandages. If Anima were in the position of either of the Leveling Trials, how would she fit? The closest I can assume is she would be one of the Terminus Beasts, much like The First Beast or the First doom, and could even have the Epithet of "The First Pain" to harken back to her depiction in FFX more. But I feel, in order to really flip us on our heads, Anima will be the final boss, because everyone initially would assume Fandanial or Zenos, but we've been told they aren't, And after that, the next assumption would be Hydaelyn or Zodiark. It's almost too easy. Another few Lore Point I would like to put forth to fit Anima in the spot as the final boss, would be that Anima is depicted as a Prisoner in XIV, with the very prominent handcuffs and chains, much like Zodiark and Hydaelyn. Anima's name has been used twice before in FFXIV, both are in respect to spirit. The first instance is our anima in 1.0. Living beings have anima, which is drawn upon when we use teleportation magic. Without anima, you cannot teleport. This has largely been replaced with the Gil being used to pay repair fees, but that's due to how Aetherytes were changed during the Calamity, being drained and 'killed' by Atomos Voidsent, causing them to turn blue and orange, which removed the anima restriction during the last days of 1.0. Then, anima was again referenced in Stormblood when detailing how people can Teleport to Aetherytes they are not attuned to, but risk death because their anima would be lost to the Lifestream without attunement. The Second instance of anima being used, was the Anima Weapons, which were weapons that were blessed with a living consciousness, thereby dubbed Anima (capital A). This very act of imbuing a vessel with a consciousness is the same thing the Convocation did when they made Zodiark to inhabit the star. Hydaelyn is intrinsically linked to Zodiark, being born to solely envervate and bind him. She is his living cage, and as such would be connected to the world in much the opposite/same way. This is the third Anima. In keeping to the prior uses of the name, Anima is a conscious living spirit that is inhabiting something, that without which it would die. And with a bit of cheating, we know that Anima will most likely show off the two sides of the same coin, and the major shock isn't that Anima is the final boss. It's that Hydaelyn and Zodiark are inseparable. The same Being. The Real shock in the fight wouldn't be who we fight. It's that we will fight both halves at once, maybe with a flipped perspective. My Dream would be that you transport between Two sides of the same platform, top and bottom, to fight both the Sealed and the Released forms of Anima at once, giving us a bigger shock than a surprise boss. The final point I'd like to make right now, would be we also already knew who the Final boss of Shadowbringers was, but how he was presented turned everything on its head. We can know who the last boss is. It's not the Destination that matters in deciding the boss, It's what we do there is that counts.

[@Soldier1stClass]

So, to your first point, the Magus Sisters are labeled a “New Threat” when you download their image on the press site. I could either see Anima being a trial in garlemald, or possibly even on the moon. I just don’t get the feeling that Anima is tied to a final boss. While yes, we knew who the main villain was of base Shadowbringers, we didn’t know his true form was Hades until the very end. If anything, Anima looks like the true form of another Ascian possibly. I just don’t get final boss vibes from her. You make excellent points, and it’s clear you’ve put a lot of time and research into it, which I highly respect for obvious reasons. I’m no expert, nor do I claim to be, and the exciting thing is, either one of us could be right or wrong, and that’s what I love about these types of discussions. Thanks for taking the time to go over this with me. Also, it’s worth noting that if you look into Anima’s etymology, it involves the soul or the subconscious so your points about everyone having Anima within them, is likely based off of this ancient belief of the ancient romans.

[@mojomike]

@@ShadowZabre I think you're onto something here for sure

[@ShadowZabre]

@@Soldier1stClass Hello! Sorry to basically go grave digging on this. But new updates of what we know now puts literally everything we know about how the Special site and other media info from the last expansions work into question. The Final boss of The Tower of Zot (dungeon 81) are the Magus Sisters. They're a New Threat, just like how Titania and Innocence were shown. But they're fought WAY earlier than the first Trial fight normally sits in an Expansion, and I'm stressing again, as a Dungeon boss no less. They might bring them back in as the 83 or 87 Trial, but they'll be different from what they appeared to be as of the Special Site and Media Info. This story is going to be bigger than any other expansion before it. They could seriously mess us all up with having even more hidden Trials than previously (HW and ShB had Knights of the Round and Hades respectively), Anima as we see it as Zodiark, and then later on as both Hydaelyn and Zodiark fused together as the FFX Limit Break version, as I had suggested above.

[@Andrewweiland4509]

If we see a trailer on Final Fantasy X-3 will you put your focus on Final Fantasy X-3?

[@Soldier1stClass]

I’ll cover it, but it won’t be my main focus.

[@dimitriosgladio059]

Love the new logo!

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thanks!

[@garnix5042]

Man I have pretty much the same prediction regarding the final boss. In my opinion the three trials will be Anima, Zodiark (with Fandaniel or Zenos being his new heart maybe?), and Hydaelyn/Venat. There is no way we close the Hydaelyn/Zodiark chapter without killing them both IMO. But if we can kill them...then....how? How can a shard of Azem (granted, pretty much a half rejoined Azem) beat the ass of those primals...I mean, if Venat helps us fighting Zodiark, it makes sense I guess. But fighting Hydaelyn by ourselves is a different story...Unless it ties directly with the Myths of the Realm and Pandaemonium raids of course :)

[@Soldier1stClass]

I have a feeling that regardless of what it takes to kill them, we’re going to lose some friends along the way. I don’t see this being a happy ending by any means

[@ChainedFei]

@@Soldier1stClass There was a conspicuous absence of Allisae and Alphinaud in a comment by Yoshida when he was talking about the trust, about 3 or 4 minutes after Estinien was mentioned as in the trust in the keynote. Pair that with the fact that Pre order and Collectors bonus are the twins from FFIV and I think there's something that's going to happen to both Alphinaud and Allisae.... because they were there from the start, and this is the end.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I actually could see that happening tbh. Especially since everyone has grown to love them over the years

[@garnix5042]

@@Soldier1stClass To be fair, while we all know what happened to Palom and Porom, they were also healed later on...so, I guess it is time for some death fakeouts :P

[@Aemeris98]

I don’t believe we’ll kill them both tbh. I think they’ll either merge or Zodiark will return to being the Will of the Planet like he was before.

[@MurakamiTenshi]

We still don't know who the seat of Altima is. In Ivalice lore, Ultima is the opposite of Zodiark, and Venat was a rogue god. Hmmm....

[@Soldier1stClass]

We know the convocation is based off of 12’s Scions of Light, however, there’s 2 of the convocation that aren’t named as Scions of Light, Azem and Elidibus. We know Elidibus is obviously Zodiark in XIV, and Azem isn’t Hydaelyn, Venat is. Venat already confirmed she’s not part of the convocation and if she was, there would’ve been talks of betrayal amongst the ascians. I think Ultima is just Hydaelyn because there’s no Scion of Light associated with Ultima. And Altima has been seen if only for a few minutes. Although it’s interesting because the fandom wiki claims that Altima refers to Ultima the High Seraph, though I feel the connection is only in passing and not a symbol of anything deeper, though I could be wrong. I think Hydaelyn is Ultima in this scenario. I think Venat does represent a similar presence as Venat in FF12, but I think Fandaniel also partially fills that role as well, due to him stating that’s he’s not wanting what the rest of the convocation has been going after. And he assists an emperor like Venat did in 12. But, I’ll add this, if you look at the etymology Venat is derived from Latin and means “the hunt.” It’s associated with the Four Royal Stars, and is named Regulus as the modern name for it. Regulus is latinized to Alpha Leonis, aka Alpha Leo, and is the brightest start in the Leo constellation. Regulus is a quadruple star system, but is actually 2 pairs of stars. Fandaniel is the Leo equivalent in the Zodiac system of 12. Leo and Regulus. Fandaniel and Venat. I think Fandaniel is a Judas, and Venat is either his sister, wife, or something else connected to him. Ishikawa even said, that her favorite unrevealed characters were Fandaniel and his ??? In a letter on their website. His what? I think Venat is that answer, but what she is to him is unknown

[@cesblazikenturmoil9455]

I agree, she's definitely gonna be the final boss!!! Although it may come st the cost of the twins father dying....

[@Soldier1stClass]

I think it’s possible tbh. 5.2 make things super interesting. Btw, you should check out the new theory I’ve posted!

[@Choonamhee]

Do you think Old Matoya will have a big role in endwalker? She’s a key character from Sharlayan.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I think it’s completely possible

[@AmandaComeauCreates]

And the death flag is raised......I'm trying not to consider her fate as I love her too much xD

[@darkwolf9ball]

Final boss of new expansion with be lavos or in the 2nd arc it will be lavos lol

[@Soldier1stClass]

Entirely possible!

[@gai.l4916]

I feel like it's pretty certain that she's Venat. Your theory of her behind the foundation of Sharlayan somehow reminds me of FFX and Zanarkand... I'm a bit conflicted here. Y'shtola reminded us several times that Zodiark was created with the wish of saving the world, and we also know from the echo that Venat and her fellows thought Zodiark would not stop the world's end, whatever that is. My guess is that we as WOL would join the forces of Hydaelyn and Zodiark to rid the world of its doomed ending, the force behind the beasts or something like that. And one more thing, I noticed that the palace in Mare Lamentorum resembles the baldesion arsenal in Eureka. I wonder if they're related in some way...

[@Soldier1stClass]

It kinda does actually. Which if it is modeled after something similar, it would make sense, since Baldesion is Sharlayan in nature. And if my theory is correct, and Venat founded Sharlayan in the image of Amaurot, then Baldesion Arsenal and Mare Lamentorum looking similar would make sense.

[@gai.l4916]

@@Soldier1stClass Indeed. And I just noticed last night that at the end of the trailer the narrator said "past the far edge of fate..." Patch 3.5 was titled the Far Edge of Fate... So would Omega get involved? Is that why she said she would recommend we do the omega raids beforehand? I really can't wait for the new story! No actually I can wait, as long as the dev team stay safe and sound...

[@PyronicEX]

ooo wheeeeee this is definitely some wild predictions.

[@Soldier1stClass]

It’s not really that wild considering some of the other things that have happened. The thing about my theories is that I try to root them in as much reality as possible so that I can try to make the most accurate and less outlandish predictions.

[@onioncultistlordoftheonion8315]

I love this theory alot, I sincerely hope there's truth to it, but I feel like the only thing that is guaranteed at the moment is that woman is Venat or related to Venat in some very important and key way.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Yeah I don’t even believe I’m 100% right, but I do think that’s Venat 100%

[@teyarose]

the hair is a bit of a stretch since that style is in the game already, just on viera only. it's their 14th hairstyle if you count left to right from the top. it's def minfilia-esque being blonde/white and pulled back but it more speaks to viera sharing hairstyles lol

[@Soldier1stClass]

It might be Viera only, and very similar, but I don’t think it makes it that much of a stretch. I can literally make Thancred in the character creator (an FC mate actually has lmao). The hairstyles in the game are kinda limited. And it’s possible they pulled from the Viera hairstyle because they needed a new hair style that was similar to Minfilia but not exact since it’s a Viera exclusive hairstyle.

[@teyarose]

@@Soldier1stClass it'll be interesting to see if they make a unique npc hairstyle again. for such an important character, I would be surprised if they reused assets instead of making something completely unique like they've been doing since Heavensward. Though I guess the only non-viera with that hair is still going to be unique, I can't wait to see what she actually looks like in game.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Yeah I’m really excited to see her. I definitely believe this is Venat, so getting that moment is gonna be awesome to finally see. Especially since she appears at Silvertear Lake.

[@dacienvegas2712]

Who are you and why do you make so much sense? Following you from now on.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you and welcome to the channel! I'm a little newer to the Final Fantasy XIV community, but I do a lot of research and try my hardest to stand out. Thanks for joining!

[@SubduedRadical]

Oh, and Thancred being the protector of Hydaelyn's voices...what if Thancred was originally that "other Ascian" and so he has this subconscious connection with Venat that plays out across these incarnations? Who knows...probably not, but just a random thing.

[@bebekkurus]

This is all make sense.

[@georgeunruh8533]

Isn’t Fandaniel the 2nd primal? Seymour? It only makes sense for Endwalker

[@Aemeris98]

No lmao. They already showed Anima and Magus Sisters are.

[@chadcomptonfilm884]

I'd like to also point out that any Sharlayan like architecture is very similar to that of Idyllshire... Not that it matters a whole lot lmao

[@Soldier1stClass]

That’s because Idyllshire is also Sharlayan.

[@dengodengo0987654321]

why is this in my recommend list when endwalker is already out since 8 months?

[@Soldier1stClass]

Cause KZbins algorithm is busted

[@vain_x]

5:39? Does she change into Hydaelin? I thought it was just Shiva?

[@Soldier1stClass]

As the fight progresses, she becomes a version of Hydaelyn. Notice the wings and the halos and compare it to the image of Hydaelyn from Shadowbringers. Ryne even does the Hydaelyn kick just like Hydaelyn did to Zodiark, and there’s a part where the party is split and has to fight Hydaelyn crystals, then gets split around the arena and encased in ice until Gaia breaks us free.

[@vain_x]

@@Soldier1stClass Today I learned, Thanks. It all adds up nicely!

[@jiminfested]

Well those are words that I listened to

[@Soldier1stClass]

Uhh, thanks? I guess? Lmao

[@CRaZyAbOuTYuGi]

Man hope this hairstyles will be out in mogsation shop

[@turlytuff8472]

I can't find the patch 5.55 trailer at all.

[@Soldier1stClass]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3OToWOLrtuGY6c here’s the one I’m talking about

[@guardiansparks]

Isn't that just Unukalhai from the Waring triad quest line

[@Soldier1stClass]

Isn’t what just Unhalkai?

[@matiasflores9043]

I feel like we can't ignore the source of her name: FFXII. The role of Venat in that game might give us some hints.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I totally agree.

[@bahumut01]

Seems like it is venat or hydaelyn as she had the same voice actress as her

[@melanclock]

Maybe hydaelyn's power waned so much that the summoning faded and venat pops out

[@Soldier1stClass]

Possible, although I could see Hydaelyn letting Venat go to fulfill some kind of mission too.

[@flygonkerel781]

Very good theory

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thank you! I worked really hard on it!

[@gateauxq4604]

And here I was just thinking that Elidibus had kept her imprisoned in that palace on the moon. What if they both lived there? 🤔 oh geez these weeds are getting deep.

[@nemo9268]

all this time ive just assumed the girl at the top is minfillia like it being anyone else never even crossed my mind lmaoo

[@Soldier1stClass]

That’s what I’m here for LMAO thanks for watching!

[@Eladdan]

I don't know... Hydaelyn being the boss strikes me as a bit of a problem. See, it's been an ongoing thing that our characters can't be tempered and the early Primal cutscenes have stated that 'we must already be claimed'. We've all attributed this to the Echo, but I think not only is the Echo similar, if not exactly like, the power the Ascians wield (just without the thousands of years of practice) but is a sign of our own tempering under Hydaelyn. Hydaelyn, though, is not an active lord and leaves us to our own devices, not unlike Zodiark and the Ascians. The Ascians, while pursuing the same goal, are all going about it in different ways that aren't exactly in concert but are clearly all still trying to bring Zodiark back. If Hydaelyn is to be the boss of Endwalker... I don't think we'll be able to lift a finger against them, our tempering won't allow it.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I mean, they’ve spent the entire patch MSQ running with the “curing tempering” thing. I doubt that’ll be for just a few beast tribes and random people. I think it will be a major concept going forward, if even for them to find out what it takes to break an elder Primal like Hydaelyn and Zodiark’s tempering. Hydaelyn might not be 100% there all the time, but she does intervene. It’s also interesting because it feels like they’re setting up Venat to be something more. She made it a point to say that she’s the *only one* that can be Hydaelyn’s heart. But why? She says that it’s because there are so few that believe in her cause, but is that the real reason? I personally believe she didn’t want to die, knowing that summoning Hydaelyn would require sacrifices, much like Zodiark. If she was so dead set on saving everyone, no matter the cost, was her own life not able to be forfeit? Elidibus became Zodiark’s heart, so we know that the heart can still be separated from the primal. I honestly think they’re setting her up to not be a plain hero character with the best intentions.

[@Eladdan]

True, the theme leading up to Endwalker is about breaking the binds the primals have on their thralls. And events late in the current patches also show that the binds vary in strength and intensity. But will the Scions discover the Warrior of Light's own tempering? We've had free reign to do as we please (sort of... if I did have my say I'd not have done what we do during Heavensward's opening events at all) and noone seems to suspect we're anything but heroes. Further, as with the Ascians, I feel the Echo grants us a kind of immortality. When we die we don't really die, instead reaching out to the nearest (read: linked) aetheryte where we rebuild our forms according to our memory of what we should be. The Ascians can't do this, I think, because of that 'thousands of years' part of 'thousands of years of practice', they don't remember what they looked like so long ago so they just borrow bodies as they see fit. What will happen to us when we're free of our tempering? Free of the Echo?

[@nicksokolowski2358]

Damn. Very good theory video with alot of evidence to back it up. Would be surprising if this information wasnt true haha

[@Soldier1stClass]

Thanks! I worked pretty hard on this one!

[@joshk6929]

Endwalker is going to be about the Gods behind the Gods, probably ones that are evil and being the new threats, and Zodiark/Hydaelyn were mere puppets...I'm eagerly waiting for SE to surprise me again. Have confidence in them.

[@keiranhalcyon7814]

I probably shouldn't be watching these theory videos since I have just recently started the questline leading up to first contact, and I just got the black mage Job but I can't help it. I can't really comment on this since not even close to finishing ARR. But I do want to say interesting video and looking forward to seeing how many of your theories pan out. Btw what are those creatures frolicking in your new opening.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Those are Namazu! You’ll meet those in Stormblood haha

[@keiranhalcyon7814]

@@Soldier1stClass ah ok they are kind of cute I have to say

[@Soldier1stClass]

Yep! They’re actually my logo too. And I’m getting a tattoo of one in July lmao their Questline is one of my absolute favorite in the entire game. Be sure to level up a fisher to level 60 when you get a chance so you can do their beast tribe quests.

[@keiranhalcyon7814]

@@Soldier1stClass will do btw how do you get those intros I am still very new to content creation just have two subs on you tube and 5 on twitch. So I wouldn't mind coming up with something to increase traffic. Sorry I communicate with you the most so I tend to want pick your brain

[@Soldier1stClass]

@@keiranhalcyon7814 I make them just like I make my videos. Just editing together clips. I usually have a general vision of what I want and then I just edit them together. That's really about it haha Just gotta find something that suits your style, personality, and taste and you're good to go.

[@gianyu2790]

My biggest guess is Zenos will be playable as a reaper in Endwalker.

[@Soldier1stClass]

Hmmm, I guess it’s possible, but idk if I see them letting us play as a villain.

[@willowkaiser4036]

Judging by what I have found you are right

[@Soldier1stClass]

After playing 5.55 I’m definitely right lmao

[@willowkaiser4036]

@@Soldier1stClass hades is ur twin brother nal and ur thal

[@willowkaiser4036]

I can go to the church and actually learn about them and has for zenos he zemus ff4 there a boss that feeds on evil and nightmares

[@Soldier1stClass]

@@willowkaiser4036 We’re Azeyma. Hades is not our twin brother. His zodiac symbol is Gemini, which is the twins, which Nald’Thal. Azeyma is the goddess of the sun. We’re the Convocation member Azem, associated with the sun symbol in Alchemy. You’ve got it mixed up

[@willowkaiser4036]

@@Soldier1stClass still we getting hades or help from him I believe

[@srnigromante9214]

I dont think she will be the last boss tbh i dont think neither she or Zodiark will be. Itll probably be whatever caused the final days.

[@Soldier1stClass]

I could see that too. I’m actually hoping that’s what it is.