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

[Rulakir]

If they wanted to subvert expectations, they could have made Zodiark look angelic and Hydaelyn look demonic.
ETA: that would definitely bring home the point that looks can be deceiving

I thought Zodiark might be darkly beautiful, like some kind of gothic prince (which instead is sort of in Pandemonium :P). I figured he was the will of the star that was seeking salvation, surely his appearance would reflect that. I also stupidly thought the box art for EW was based on the layperson's interpretation of Hydaelyn and Zodiark based on stories only to find out later that Yoshi-P took great pains to copy their appearances in game.

[Skyborne]

I thought Zodiark might be darkly beautiful, like some kind of gothic prince (which instead is sort of in Pandemonium :P). I figured he was the will of the star that was seeking salvation, surely his appearance would reflect that. I also stupidly thought the box art for EW was based on the layperson's interpretation of Hydaelyn and Zodiark based on stories only to find out later that Yoshi-P took great pains to copy their appearances in game.

I kind of figured they would resemble the 'elementals on steroids' like in the statues or their depictions on the wall murals, but I suppose that was just symbolic...

Also, daily reminder of this Convocation stone image from ShB

Notice anything? The writers either:
A. biased Endwalker to be in favor of a certain mother dearest's perspective and failed to acknowledge it like they did with ShB, and doubled down on it
or
B. completely retconned the ancient/convocation's motives in Endwalker and didn't acknowledge it

Big doubt they will say anything about it at this point and seem done with it. But I'm not! I will sit here and take a Nidhogg nap.