[4.4 Discussion] "Change the Future"

[Anonymoose]

I assume this is going to become our default MYSTERY VOICE thread for the time being, so...

I've been thinking of this on and off all day after Quintalian hit me with kind of a "Duh." observation.

Ahead looms a Calamity.
Ahead looms Light, expunging all form and life.
Twin dooms only you can forestall. Only you.

I kept thinking, "How can it be both?" whereas more likely the point is prevent both separately; do not let either happen.

Who wants that other than Hydaelyn and mankind? It does sound like Arbert. It does sound like something Arbert would say. But [A] it doesn't sound like Arbert in every language of the game, and [B] the rest doesn't sound like anything Arbert would say.

Those points, of course, are what led me to consider that maybe it could be Zodiark. Nothing but Hydaelyn has ever yanked our soul out of our body to have a quick chat in the aetherial sea, and if I had to imagine what it looks like where He is... <gestures broadly>.

Then, of course there was Nabriales. Pay attention to what he shouts at you throughout the fight. I'm going by all four languages here, so it's not going to quite be what you see in English. (Aside: Only in English he speaks of lower-case darkness and the void; is this a localization error?) First, he summons the powers of Darkness from the Abyss to pervade his being and grant him strength; an all-powerful force whose hunger consumes all. But the most important part is when he commands, "in Zodiark's name" for time to slow. "Let expanse contract, eon become instant..."

But if this is Zodiark, I can see why He would advocate for balance. He's certainly having His emissary do the same. And I can see why He'd advocate against a Flood. Nobody wants a Flood. But why would He advocate for preventing a Calamity...? And why would Zodiark, of all "people", say that "only [the Warrior of Light]" could walk this tightrope? That's literally Elidibus's job.

Is it just deception all the way down? That assumption is no place to begin analysis.

[Dualblade]

I know what you AREN'T saying, and this is...who is our Chewbacca?

In all honesty currently I think even Elidibus is no longer working towards the same goals as Zodiark anymore. He THINKS he is, but the reality of the situation has changed possibly. Atleast thats what I'm running with in my head.

The only Ascian that for sure was out for themselves was Lahabrea, and he dead so thats good for everyone. Outside of that we don't enough of the rest to know where they stand on the whole Zodiark thing.

Also go #TeamHydaelyn, she probably isn't always right but damnit she's trying to be a good MomCrystal!

[EdwinLi]

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Though there has been one question on my mind for a very long time since the game began, " are the Ascians actually following the will of Zodiark or are they simply assuming that they are following his will by causing Calamities so he can return?"

For this entire storyline, no Ascian has actually heard the voice of Zodiark nor actually spoken to him. They have been acting alone under the belief they are following Zodiark's will but what if this entire time they have been unknowningly going against Zodiark's True Will to preserve Balance because they have been blindly causing events that will create a Calamity born from the complete destruction of the Balance (which I assume already happened in the Future because of what the WoL and Scions did in the original timeline).

The Ascians are basically a cult, a powerful one that has great influence in history, but still a cult that is follow a belief that they are following Zodiark's will. However, their dedication maybe blinding them to the truth and actually been causing events that Zodiark never wanted to happen.

Heck, for all we know Zodiark may have willingly sealed himself away and he may be a Good God this entire time but the Ascian's cult mentality and blind worshipping made them act in these ways while using Zodiark's name to justify their actions.

For Seven Hells, how do we know if there are not TWO Zodiarks, with one being the Real Zodiark (the Voice) and a Primal Fake Zodiark being the one that the Ascians worship born from a event long ago that has been completely erased from history.