So nobody is worried that we might cause [spoilers]

[Belhi]

While I suspect a flood of Light could happen, and as pointed out the way the Allag empire stagnated seem to fit a something like overly dominant Light. I don't think there is a very high risk of that happening anytime soon though. Hydaelyn has been growing progressively weakened for thousands of years. Even with the changes we have made recently I think its a long way from totally turning everything around.

I think the Ascians calling on the Warriors of Darkness is more in response of losing their sense of control over us. I suspect that prior to this the Ascians have rather underestimated the WoL and seen them more as just another pawn. We would be far from the first WoL they would have dealt with. I think they are more actively trying to mitigate the fact their control over what's is going on is slipping as we get too powerful to handle.

I do think that balance is an aspect of FF14's story but I don't think the WoL is necessarily opposed to balance or darkness conceptually. Though it hasn't been dealt with in the MSQ, the concept of finding balance with darkness does pop up in job quests, the DRK obviously but also MNK touches on it with its sects of Light and Shadow. I suspect balance will be something that will become an important factor in the story eventually.

[Kotemon]

Given Matoyas lore about the eye. I've been assuming that things like Warriors of light and darkness were much more stronger in the past than in the present. Given that everything up to now has filled the Warrior of Light with, determination. We have simply become much more powerful than we are supposed to be. The fact we overcame Midgard's little seal by our own will and conviction, slew primals, thwarted their plans and delaying the inevitable and making friends with a lot of folks. The Ascian didn't just call for a warrior of darkness, he brought a whole party of them to deal with one warrior of light.

With the eye and other similar objects/people being so much more powerful in those earlier ages. We are likely bucking the trend by becoming as powerful or more so in an age where we shouldn't. That is my theory as to what kind of balance he might be refereeing to. When the time comes we might be strong enough to prevent the normal cycle of events and possible (inevitable) outcome read in that book.

Also what was that line he said about lahabreas tactics in trying to invoke or hasten some kind of event? It was almost like he knew what they were trying to do would eventually fail.

[Cilia]

And I still say you have it backwards: Eldibus is trying to show Urianger that there's a fate in need of fighting, not that he should give in and accept destiny. It's of course tempting to believe that we're already on the "fighting fate" side, because JRPG heroes usually are, but I don't think we have any tangible indicator of that, yet.

As for me, I'm presently inclined to think of events like the Ultima Weapon fight as a sign that Hydaelyn is ensuring our destiny by directly intervening in situations that jeopardize Her plans for us. "Destiny" is ultimately just a conceit used to describe the unseen authorial intent behind the universe. The problem is figuring out who's writing what.

Until we really get more from Elidibus and Urianger, it's hard to say what exactly is in The Gerun Oracles beyond that it foretells fate and Elidibus believes it's correct. The full quote of Urianger's small talk, though is:

Tataru hath told me all. Thou hast prevailed over the Ascians, and so avenged Moenbryda. "Knowledge dictates expectation, and expectation colors perception." On occasion, truth may issue from the mouths of fiends and foes. Our knowledge is dwarfed by our ignorance, and what wisdom we possess hath been distorted by the passage of time. But no matter how distorted our wisdom becometh, may it never be forgot that man is the master of his own destiny. The final verse of the Divine Chronicles fortelleth the destruction of the world. But if it is our fate to perish, so too is it our fate to fight. So let us fight on, as ever we have, in the hopes that the dawn's light will shine again and forevermore.

Doesn't sound to me like he's intent on following Hydaelyn's spelled-out doom. Rather, combined with this year's page from Louisoix's journal, it seems to me that Zodiark cast a curse of doom on Hydaelyn out of hatred for some reason, which is the reason for the repeated Calamities that are trying to end the world - and each time she rebuffs the curse (though Echo users), it weakens her, which is the reason behind the gradual weakening of her blessing through the ages. Doubtless whenever she performs a divine intervention she's ensuring the path she wants us to follow - but if Zodiark's curse is the inevitable doom of the world, and Hydaelyn's aim is to delay or prevent that... I'll go with the goddess who doesn't want me to die.

The problem then becomes the fact that, despite her desire to let us live, she's shackling us (at least us, the Warrior of Light) to her own written fate, making Hydaelyn kind of hypocritical. This is the problem with dealing with gods - they all have their own objective and no qualms manipulating whoever they need to achieve that objective. We are Hydaelyn's "beloved daughter/son," but despite that we're functionally little more than a piece in her game against Zodiark. An important piece, but just a piece nonetheless.

... of course, if man is the master of his own destiny, and he declares his fate is to challenge his fate, can such a thing as fate be said to exist? Clearly Elidibus thinks so, pulling out his book of foretold fate to tell Urianger this is what our fates are, and with your preordained fate known you can either A) play your part or B) rebel against it. As noted above in his own dialogue, Urianger seems intent on deciding his own destiny at least. If it's our fate to die then it's our fate to fight that death... so is there any rebellion to be made?

Gah, all this talk of fate is getting me confuzzled. I'm gonna go do a FATE to get my thoughts in order.

[CyrilLucifer]

The problem then becomes the fact that, despite her desire to let us live, she's shackling us (at least us, the Warrior of Light) to her own written fate, making Hydaelyn kind of hypocritical. This is the problem with dealing with gods - they all have their own objective and no qualms manipulating whoever they need to achieve that objective. We are Hydaelyn's "beloved daughter/son," but despite that we're functionally little more than a piece in her game against Zodiark. An important piece, but just a piece nonetheless.

I think this can be assumed either way, no matter which side of the equation is dealing with "fate." We are a tool, Her weapon against the darkness. A beloved weapon, a weapon to keep oiled and sharp, but still one tool of many.

I believe everyone, including our character, knows it. So, even if Hydaelyn is fighting for freedom and against some horrible prophecized fate, so to speak, we are still bound to our fate of servitude, aiding her. Which comes with some perks, yes, but it takes its toll.

[MilesSaintboroguh]

I'm not worried because the script is surely written in our favor anyway.

[Lunaxia]

Interesting theory, and it actually ties in well with what we've seen so far. In particular the final cutscene with Thordan after you defeat him - he looks up at the WoL and asks "who - what are you?!", and for a brief moment we see him/ her in a very sinister light that seems to portend something rather ominous. And you do have to wonder - what are they becoming to be able to take down enemies so powerful? Where does it stop?

[Fenral]

Until we really get more from Elidibus and Urianger, it's hard to say what exactly is in The Gerun Oracles beyond that it foretells fate and Elidibus believes it's correct.

He believes it is "correct," not that it is "right." It's simply a matter of how you take the rest of what he says. If "all of this has been ordained," then that means that nothing we've done so far has actually run counter to the prophesied end. All of the "fate fighting" we think we've been doing has actually been part of the plan all along, moving us ever closer to the precipice.

Maybe.

[Cilia]

He believes it is "correct," not that it is "right." It's simply a matter of how you take the rest of what he says. If "all of this has been ordained," then that means that nothing we've done so far has actually run counter to the prophesied end. All of the "fate fighting" we think we've been doing has actually been part of the plan all along, moving us ever closer to the precipice.

Maybe.

Elidibus actually hasn't given his thoughts on whether the Gerun Oracles is right or not. All he says is that...

It is a truth long forgotten - a tale of the beginning, and of the path we have been set upon. Our fates were ordained long ago, Archon. The Garleans are no exepction. Nor the Triad. You know what must be done.

Not really sure how to take this beyond Elidibus saying, paraphrased, "See? Our fates are spelled out, it's all here in this book. Everything that has happened and will happen... it was all written. You know your part now - all there is to do is go play it."

... then again, knowledge dictates expectation, and expectation colors perception, so knowing that JRPGs usually have the heroes challenging a foretold fate I'm pretty inclined to see it that way. Elidibus could be telling Urianger how to challenge Hydaelyn's written fate... er, the fate Hydaelyn writ for us... but if she's the benevolent, all-loving goddess we've been led to believe, we have little reason to rebel against her.

Again, it raises the problem of Hydaelyn's blessing protecting us vs. Zodiark's curse being our doom; either way we're just a puny mortal without control over our fate. But hey, that's okay! I guess! (Since, y'know, the Allagans' lack of spirituality contributed to their societal collapse...)

Perhaps nothing we've done has challenged what's written in the Oracles. Perhaps even trying is an exercise in futility. Even so...

[Alisa180]

Random thought I had: Elidibus is a Lucifer-figure. Effectively saying 'Your all-loving god is actually bad'...Yeah. This would tie into my theory that the Ascians are following 'their' version of events, but its not the full story or even the 'only' version of events. I'm getting the impression that Elidibus wants us to learn the truth on his terms, so that he can manipulate us into the line of thinking he wants.

This would also explain the implication that Alisaie in the 3.1 stinger listening in wasn't something Elidibus wanted. Elidibus has clearly been feeding Urianger information, but there's good reason to believe that it was twisted to fit Elidibius' worldview, and tailored to try to make Urianger believe what the Ascians believe. Alisaie, however, was listening in without the proper, ahem, 'context'.

To put it another way: Lucifer would tell you God is a tyrant, who cast him down for daring to question his authority. Anyone who witnessed Lucifer's rebellion would be able to see it was actually because Lucifer was an amoral jerk.

[DPZ2]

Interesting theory, and it actually ties in well with what we've seen so far. In particular the final cutscene with Thordan after you defeat him - he looks up at the WoL and asks "who - what are you?!", and for a brief moment we see him/ her in a very sinister light that seems to portend something rather ominous. And you do have to wonder - what are they becoming to be able to take down enemies so powerful? Where does it stop?

From Vishnu to Shiva, from Protector to Destroyer. From Warrior of Light to Destroyer of Worlds. But. Also from Shiva to Brahma, from Destroyer to Creator.

Thus the cycle persists and the World is restored.

I do not think that the original design was for the Ascians to survive Destruction. They fled to their own pocket universe. Mortality just might have given them more perspective.

And, we have done this all before (as Cid appears to recognize on an airship heading toward the Vortex). So, no worries.