Re-examining "Answers" and the nature of Ascians

[Catapult]

Just to be sure on one thing, when he says "The light... It binds them", I think he's just reffering to the bond between you and the scions.

I hadn't thought of it that way. Thanks for the alternative perspective.

[Rocl]

I hadn't thought of it that way.

That was my understanding as well, and while I don't fully agree with your analysis of Answers it does provide interesting discussion.
Specifically the lines

Our souls have been torn and our bodies forsaken.
Bearing sins of the past, for our future is taken.

being a reference to the physical predicament of the Ascians.

I may spend some time reading the Unending Journey later-- but do the Sylphs still refer to those with the Echo as "Woken Ones"? I often thought of that being rather important when compared with Susan's imperative "Sleep on." Though it does seem pretty clear that Susan's voice is supposed to be Hydaelyn. Before we knew the place was, well, conscious, I had often thought of Susan's voice as Llymlaen or Nymeia controlling the fates of our poor adventurer souls. (I liked Llymlaen due to the prominence of the seagull at the end of Futures Perfect)

Damn, I didn't realize there was a 1000 character limit or some such malarkey... shows how much I've posted on here since ARR. Anyways, I've gotten way off topic now, but at the end of Futures Perfect the Scion assigned to your starting city refers to you as Woken as well and that bird may not actually be a seagull but god bless youtube.

This interpretation of the song and the revelation of the Ascian god leaves me to wonder who exactly Nael van Darnus was thrall to; the obvious answer seems to be Bahamut but he blergho. He speaks of a "land bereft of the crystal's light" and light would imply not-Zodiark. Darnus' desperation would make him liable to Ascian influence though... and the connection of Ascians to voidsent might explain the Lambs of Dalamud's connection to the Void as well-- simply preying on those praying to a now defunct Allag construct.

HOLY CRAP, I'M SORRY I'M BOUNCING OFF TANGENTS.

Something else interesting to note is the Hear vs Listen. In your interpretation it's curious (and I feel lends credence to your interpretation overall) that Hydaelyn wishes us passive.