"Answers" mark 3.

[Xmbei]

This is another of the possibilities on the list - to a degree. It would explain their point of view about Hydaelyn and the original state of the world. But, if this were the case, why do they worship the dark half as the One True God? The only glimpse of Zodiark we've seen is a crystal just like Hydaelyn but dark.

I have been starting to think hydaelyn and zodiark are not crystals its just what they want us to precieve them as. Also that they are primals too and we and ascians are tempered... Why? Because what do we do in main story? Bring crystals to hydaelyn, just as the beast man do to summon their primals.

[Alenore]

Also that they are primals too and we and ascians are tempered...

First shot fired!

[Kicha]

I've considered this idea, that we are tempered by Hydaelyn. It would explain why the other primals can't temper us, and iirc, Garuda does say something akin to us being touched by Her. We do seem to do whatever it is the giant crystal asks of us. Sure, we seem to have more freedom than others who have been tempered, but maybe that's the difference between a powerful entity like Hydaelyn tempering us and a lower primal. Lower primals rely on brainwashing. Very straightforward. Hydaelyn has more power, so she doesn't let us know we're tempered, but simply guides us and nudges us in the right direction, all the while we're convinced that we've got our own free will and are doing Hydaelyn's bidding because we WANT to....

[Xmbei]

Ya after the drop of huge surprise for us at end of 2.0... Made me start thinking hydaelyn is either not as good as we expect... Or the obvious (to me anyways) Zodiark will be unleashed on us.

[Xmbei]

So we were on topic but to state my opinion on answers, because after I theory thought what I posted. This was a few weeks ago I think its maybe zodiark/ascians and hydaelyn

[Catapult]

The only glimpse of Zodiark we've seen is a crystal just like Hydaelyn but dark.

I wouldn't be confident that that was Zodiark. It could just as easily be an infected or dying Hydaelyn. We haven't actually seen Her since we expelled Lahabrea, but it has been hinted that Her power is waning.

[Brine_Gildchaff]

an infected or dying Hydaelyn

... okay, this is going to sound crazy, but... what if that's precisely what Zodiark -is-?

[Xmbei]

Both of you have interesting ideas ! I cant wait till the 2,x conclusion!!!!

[Alenore]

I've considered this idea, that we are tempered by Hydaelyn. It would explain why the other primals can't temper us, and iirc, Garuda does say something akin to us being touched by Her.

Amal'jaa priest : "Your soul already belongs to another!? Yes, that is the only explanation!"
Ifrit : "Forsooth, thy frail mortal frame can serve as vessel to the blessing of but One. Yet I smell not the taint of another upon thee... The truth of thine allegiance waxeth clear - thou art of the godless blessed's number. The paragons warned of thine abhorrent kind. Thine existence is not to be suffered."

The Amal'jaa priest seem to think we've already been claimed by someone. But, Ifrit doesn't feel like we've been, and that in truth, our soul just cannot be claimed, and that it's a crime in itself.

From that bit of text, I take that the Echo somehow protect us from being claimed/tempered/touched/stoned (hi kobolds!), and not that we've already been tempered/touched by someone.

[Umbeliel]

Shining is the Land's light of justice.
Ever flows the Land's well of purpose.
Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe...
The Land is alive, so believe...

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but the Land is Hydaelyn, correct?
So either she is singing in third person or it's not Hydaelyn at all?

Either way, this specific bit is pretty clearly referring to us, the Warriors of Light. Which, I think alone, tosses the idea that someone is singing to us, or that it's Hydaelyn? Seems more like some sort of folk song, honestly.

The whole song obviously has some form of duality, but I think maybe thinking of it as two separate groups at all is a bit of a stretch.