What's the point with that quite lackluster story in Endwalker?

[Rulakir]

The idea of there being some kind of fate, raises the question of whether it has some manner of arbiter (7R vibes ahoy!), or creator. Give it a few expansions and the big bad will be Fate.

This is my concern as well. It'd be worse than the Meteion reveal. I feel they had the opportunity to go the 'higher power' route with Hydaelyn and Zodiark, but instead chose to make them primals. The only other thing is we know the star somehow doles out souls, but I thought that was either random or had to meet some sort of naturally achieved criteria? It didn't seem implied that there's a consciousness in Etheirys making the decision.

I still don't know what the 12 are supposed to be and, speaking of which, is anyone else good with recognizing voices? I saw someone on Reddit say that Nald'thal is Hythlodaeus & Emet's VAs, but I can't tell with the music and battle noises. I've also seen some say Azeyma is Venat, but comparing the raid to the Hydaleyn trial it doesn't sound like the same VA to me. I have my doubts that even if the 12 do share VAs with other characters that it necessarily means anything.

[Cach]

Add me to the "I thought I was alone and going insane until I saw this thread" club.

I do not wish to retread old ground, but long story short, I was already shaky on everything post Garlemald and Elpis pulled the cord completely, when I realized that it wasn't a flashback and it was a playable area my heart just sank.

This is my concern as well. It'd be worse than the Meteion reveal. I feel they had the opportunity to go the 'higher power' route with Hydaelyn and Zodiark, but instead chose to make them primals. The only other thing is we know the star somehow doles out souls, but I thought that was either random or had to meet some sort of naturally achieved criteria? It didn't seem implied that there's a consciousness in Etheirys making the decision.

It kinda reminds me of the Loki TV show: "Hey, free will doesn't exist and all everyone did thus far was meaningless and without real agency, but it's okay, here's Graha eating a burger". I can totally see it happening.

[Nilroreo]

Add me to the "I thought I was alone and going insane until I saw this thread" club.

I do not wish to retread old ground, but long story short, I was already shaky on everything post Garlemald and Elpis pulled the cord completely, when I realized that it wasn't a flashback and it was a playable area my heart just sank.

I'm fine with it being a playable area, but I almost wish that instead of arriving there via time travel, if Elidibus or someone else had revealed Elpis still exists in the present day in the form of Azys Lla. We head there, and as a callback to 1.0, we use the Echo not to view the past as an outside observer, but to experience it firsthand by stepping into the shoes of Azem.