[Theory] We are Zodiark [Spoilers]

[Enkidoh]

Nice theories... but alas... they actually have already been discounted/debunked in and out of the game. First.... Zodiark. Zodiark's appearance in FFXIV is not his FFXII version at all, or even 'similar'. It is simply a name reference for fanservice... but is not the same entity as the FFXII version with the same lore. The development team confirmed that Hydaelyn is 'it's own unique world', and that FFXII name references are just fanservice and nothing deeper than that:

Q55: There are a lot of names from Ivalice such as Dalmasca, Belias, and Zodiak that have been mentioned, is there some connection between Hydaelyn and Ivalice?

A55: To be absolutely clear, there is no connection between FFXIV’s Hydaelyn and FFXII’s Ivalice. Likewise there is no connection with FFXI’s Vana’diel. Each are their own individual world. Based on this, there are connections between the things that appear in the world, and we’ll be revealing more in the future.

That's the meta proof out the way. Now for the actual in-game proof which pretty much debunks this idea completely.

Specifically, the same reason why the similar old "we are really Primals!" idea doesn't hold weight either, and that is because the Ascians themselves have never refered to us as anything other than mortals. Mortals who are "Hydaelyn's minon', (to use just one dismissive term Lahabrea himself used when addressing us), and mortals with the Echo and incredible powers, but still... just mortal. Even Hydaelyn regarded as us a mortal in the times she spoke to us.

Then there is the little fact Zodiark was always stated by the Ascians themselves as needing to be "reborn" - and that we were actively hindering that plan, to the point the Ascians were so frustrated by us they were willing to kill us ( of course, that didn't work for them ). If we were really aspects of Zodiark, do you think that the Ascians would have actually stated that? Even Hydaelyn would have mentioned this. No, this crazy theory simply doesn't hold any water I'm afraid, as interesting a twist as it could be however.

Also, that reference to Iroha's 'master' in the second FFXI crossover event really was a direct reference to the player's character in FFXI, because they really were similar, but for more mundane reasons (the player's character in both games being god-slaying adventurers with a penchant for helping the needy and sticking their nose where it doesn't belong ). It doesn't have any deeper connection other than simply lampshading both games have similar concepts.