Path companioin, what happened to them?

[BobbinT]

I'm not sure if this has been asked or not, so here goes...

Remember main story back in 1.0 where midway we have to create our own path companion, in similar fashion as creating our retainers?

Although they only appear mostly in cut-scenes and perhaps several instanced battles, I felt close to him/her. Back then, I made a spunky warrior mi'qote, and it was fun.

Now in ARR, no sight of them. Did they perish 5 years ago? If not, is it possible to make them returned, and perhaps worked them as more real companion as in XI version perhaps?

Yes, I realize we now have chocobo that act as replacement for that, but I felt more closer bonding with human figure than animals.