Feedback: Feeling disappointed by 6.55's narrative, and thus unsure about Dawntrail

[Theodric]

At the expense of most of the ancient population.

As a direct consequence of the one individual with knowledge of the approaching Final Days refusing to reveal that knowledge in order to mitigate the devastating loss of life and need for sacrifices in the first place. Furthermore, Zodiark was in himself a necessity due to the dire state that Etheirys was left in due to the Final Days rendering the planet unfit for habitation.

He factors into Venat's plans both before and after the Sundering as an absolute necessity though his existence is exploited not for the benefit of the Ancients but the Sundered who exist at their expense.

Incorrect - Those still living were reborn in The Source and it's Shards. Only those sacrificed to Zodiark "died"

It is not incorrect, the Ancients ceased to exist as a species, society and culture as a result of the Sundering. Venat herself, when confronted for her test through battle, specifically refers to herself as the 'last of her kind'.

The Sundered are a completely different form of existence rather than direct descendants.