
Originally Posted by
Eloah
Not having fully delved into your changes, but having looked over your summery, I think you are missing one key facet of his current character. In his mind, he's supposed to be dead.
As you said, as the Exarch, he was very goal oriented, since he had clear cut goals; save The First and return the Scions to The Source. But his plans hinged upon his death. With that averted, twice, he's been given a second chance.
The reason his character in Endwalker is "directionless" is because he is directionless, but not in a bad way. He's been given a second chance and needs to figure out what he wants to do for himself again. However, he knows he has time, kinda, and is content with just going on a journey with his friend for now. Not focusing on himself, but the moments that come.
You can see this in the two major moments where he picks up his Exach persona, in order to provide greater aid to those around him. For over 100 years he had to be a leader and be strong for his people. But he no longer has to shoulder that burden and can just focus on himself, but he has to relearn who he is first. That's why his goals are very simple, and he's content with assisting instead of leading.
I'm not saying his character couldn't have done more, but from a human perspective, how he was written for Endwalker makes perfect sense.