More Enemy Vs Enemy Plot Twists (Click at your own risk! Spoilers!)

I just want to share what I experienced and what I liked most parts in main story line. I always love to see villains fighting each other or at least not always WoL/Protagonist vs antagonists. As far as I remember, there are some very good cutscenes happened in FF14 that really made me stand on my seat and pause because i am hyped treasuring the moments especially enemy vs enemy scenes. I will rank them based on their awesomeness lol.

1. The first time I am really overjoyed was first encounter with Ravana in his domain. Ysayle transformed into Shiva to challenge Ravana into a duel to stop Gnath invasion towards Dravanians. Well, that fight is really AWESOME! Primal vs primal omg it was an epic fight. The cutscene was delivered exceptional for me. (the bgm too!)

2. Ysayle/Shiva vs Dreadnought/VIth Legion/Regula Van Hydrus enters the 2nd spot for me. Yeah all that slashes because all of them in Dreadnought vs Shiva. Thought we all know it didn't end well (huhu I imagine Ysayle being with Scions or at least in Ishgard conference stopping Nidhogg but yeah rip) Still, it was an epic fight for me mainly because it was another Primal battle with Garleans (Ultima Weapon/Gaius getting the enemy vs enemy concept, whick I'll discuss next).

3. ARR scene Primals Garuda, Titan, & Ifrit vs Ultima Weapon. It was also an unforgettable scene for me because just look at that 3V1. The thing is it's kinda a lopsided game lol GG 3primals. No much Primal abilities executed than the previous said scenes. ANyway it's still good for me, adding more a dozen of Ixals being shot by Gaius lol. (I miss Gaius I want him to return lol)

4. Last epicness I remember is King Thordan one shot our old enemy, Lahabrea in Aetherochemical Facility. Though they are villain with different motives, I still find Thordan/Archbishop lesser evil between the two and slashing Lahabrea into two pieces is quite amusing haha.

There you have it Primals vs Primals, Primals Vs Garleans, Primals Vs Ascians. I am hoping for more Enemy vs Enemy Plot Twists! Feel free to post if I missed epic villain encounters :) sorry for the multi-posts it says too much characters but we can't stop their awesomeness right?

As I passionately and predictably post in every thread that will listen, I'm placing bets that there's gong to be an inter-faction struggle within the Ascians at some point because they are. . .well, I don't think we need a threadly reminder just yet. Preferably with Altima.

I think you have a neat subplot to look forward to there.

We're also currently in the middle of Elidibus vs Regula as a proxy.

Well i didn't see clearly yet Elidibus vs Regula intentions-wise conflict but I only remember VIth legion like a spoiled brat to Emperor Varus, being his favorite, intending to find a way to control primals. Anyway you are right, just like Nabriales being a lone wolf in his own goal. I am looking forward for Hraesvalgr brood vs Nidhogg;s in 3.3

But we've already seen the beginnings of Elidibus vs Regula, unless you're of mind that Unukalai isn't related to Elidibus, either as his servant or directly being Elidibus himself? I can pull out the list defending why it's highly, highly likely that he's an Ascian related to Elidibus, if you'd like.

Unukalhai, as totally-not-Elidibus-or-his-servant, says straight out he doesn't want the Garleans touching the Triad if you speak with him in the Stones, hence why he's using us as his proxy.

That subplot is only going to get more interesting from here, especially if, like the HM Primals in 2.X, we'll be required to do it to finish 3.X as I expect we will. I expect we might get inter-Garlean struggles resulting from it as well. Am I a horrible person for saying I find this plotline's potential a lot more interesting than the dragons? Please don't squander it, SE. Please.

Edit: Ah, but I see you're new and you might not spend a lot of time on these lore forums. My mistake; you may be unfamiliar with some of our more prevalent theories. Welcome! You're in for some crazy things.

Yes hehe i just recently started to bring myself in the world of craziness in forums lol but I had experience talking about lore in previous game I played (like Dark Souls).
I see, that's a good theory Unukalhai being related with Elidibus. So that's why there is a cutscene between him and Regula.

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Originally Posted by CyrilLucifer

Unukalhai, as totally-not-Elidibus-or-his-servant, says straight out he doesn't want the Garleans touching the Triad if you speak with him in the Stones, hence why he's using us as his proxy.

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See, Unuk says that but Elid points out that the Garleans will 'do their part' in one of the 3.1 ending scenes. That, to me, implies that they're either separate or that Elid really is just playing everybody - including the WoL - like a fiddle. I believe Urianger is present at the time, too. As is the WoD. I think Elid doesn't want the WoL teaming up with Garlemald, hence a potentially very blatant attempt to throw Garlemald into disarray so that it can't easily happen.

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Originally Posted by Theodric

See, Unuk says that but Elid points out that the Garleans will 'do their part' in one of the 3.1 ending scenes. That, to me, implies that they're either separate or that Elid really is just playing everybody - including the WoL - like a fiddle. I believe Urianger is present at the time, too. As is the WoD. I think Elid doesn't want the WoL teaming up with Garlemald, hence a potentially very blatant attempt to throw Garlemald into disarray so that it can't easily happen.

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Oh I don't doubt he's playing everyone - that's basically his job. He's an Emissary - a politician, all flattery and smooth talking to lull his foes into complacency. That's kind of his charm, really. Among other things. What makes his type interesting is that they tend to speak the truth most often and you never realize it until it's too late.

But Unukalhai has been assigned to us and I don't think there can be any doubt he's related to Elidibus in some form. At all. Let me restate this because it needs to be said in every thread: Unukalhai is the alpha serpentis. As in, one of the two parts of the Serpent of Ophiuchus. And who does the Serpent Bearer represent? . . .And who is the Serpent Bearer's representative in XIV? Come on now, you love FFXII, you don't need me to answer those questions. That's SE beating us over the head with the foreshadowing stick, one just as blatant as Regula being of the VIth Legion. Let's also not ignore that he's also spouting Elidibus quotes right and left at us. I'm pretty sure a normal child wouldn't be talking about 'the fate of this very star.'

So, going from that -

If Elidibus wants the Triad awakening (which I don't believe he does, given the evidence), it's on his terms, not the Garlean's, hence leading to the current situation.
As for the evidence, what are the repercussions of Lahabrea's and Igeyorhm's failures? Well, the Beast Tribes no longer summoning, perhaps, but that's not as big of deal, I'd argue that's the most easily fixed. The bigger issue was that Lahabrea wanted Thordan to awaken the Triad. That's the mess from 3.0 Elidibus has to clean up.

But that's why this situation is so interesting, because we are acting as proxy for Elidibus, so we're stuck between two potential antagonists in conflict. What's the right path? On one hand, the Triad awakening is bad news bears, and bad news bears are to be avoided. On the other hand, do we really want to be helping Elidibus? Yes, yes I do,

@Cyril I like your 4th paragraph, sorry i dont know to quote certain part lol. It made me realize that was the mess Lahabrea left.

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Originally Posted by CyrilLucifer

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Don't get me wrong, I see your point and I'm inclined to agree but...I think Elidibus does want the Garleans to be playing around with the Triad. Someone told them about Thordan's plans because they were in pursuit of the Archbishop and fully aware of Azyz Lla's existence. I don't believe it was actually addressed, though, so it could be something overlooked or forgotten about. I'm actually hoping that Lucia is actually playing Aymeric like a fiddle and exploiting his kind nature whilst feeding information to Garlemald under the pretense of being a 'defector'. It'd certainly explain why Varis barely reacted at all when she 'attacked' him with a magitek reaper.

I mean, realistically whoever fed the Garleans information about Thordan must have had intimate access to information that only a very select few were aware of. My initial thought was that it could be Lahabrea and Igorythrm...but neither of them were fully aware of the extent of the Archbishop's plans, if I recall correctly - and they certainly didn't realise that he was plotting against them. I don't know, though. Maybe I'm just overthinking it?

It's true that Lahabrea was unaware of all of Thordan's plans, but the depths of the Aetherochemical Research Facility house the Triad Core. That's where we fight Ascian Prime.

So, at the very least, Lahabrea did know and was actively perpetuating Thordan's interest in the Triad, else he wouldn't have shown Thordan the place. That was the entire purpose for entry into Azys Lla.

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Originally Posted by Theodric

I'm actually hoping that Lucia is actually playing Aymeric like a fiddle and exploiting his kind nature whilst feeding information to Garlemald under the pretense of being a 'defector'. It'd certainly explain why Varis barely reacted at all when she 'attacked' him with a magitek reaper.

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If they do something like this (which so far seems to have no evidence thus far) I hope it dosenlt wind up with the Scions framed or Ameryc being poisoned to a state of torpor. I do not think the fanbase would appreciate a repeat of the bloody banquet.

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Originally Posted by CyrilLucifer

It's true that Lahabrea was unaware of all of Thordan's plans, but the depths of the Aetherochemical Research Facility house the Triad Core. That's where we fight Ascian Prime.

So, at the very least, Lahabrea did know and was actively perpetuating Thordan's interest in the Triad, else he wouldn't have shown Thordan the place. That was the entire purpose for entry into Azys Lla.

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But why would Edibudus wants to get rid off the triad? They are a pottencialy an 8th umbral calamity thing.

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Originally Posted by Frederick22

But why would Edibudus wants to get rid off the triad? They are a pottencialy an 8th umbral calamity thing.

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We don't know, just as we don't know why Elidibus would approach Urianger - and why Urianger would tell us you can sometimes trust our foes, hence implying that the Scion is listening. I have theories, but my theory is based on Lahabrea's quote: As it always was, as it ever should have remained.

Looking at these pieces of information -
Urianger continues meeting with Elidibus, meaning there is some truth to the words he speaks regarding Hydaelyn and 'the fate of this very star.'
Hydaelyn existed as one with Zodiark.
Elidibus and Lahabrea do not always share methods in pursuing their goals.

I believe that Eldibus wants Hydaelyn to continue existing, but in a vastly weakened state, to the point where she's just comatose and incapable of interfering. But what happens if the Triad awakens, be it at the hands of the Garleans or your accidentally messing around with technology you don't understand? Hydaelyn could very well be destroyed prematurely, removing any potential for 'balance' and making it impossible to 'return to as it once was' that Elidibus seeks.

Keep in mind that in the same scene Elidibus also mentions the others have not yet 'agreed' to the next Rejoining yet. We don't know exactly why they would need to agree to it, either, but Rejoinings are clearly not something they want spontaneously occurring just because they have the potential to. Lahabrea jumped the gun.